Yard Sales, Flea Markets and Antique Shops 2025

[Aragorn243]

Spotted this worn little mess kit today and almost kept walking. But something made me go back and check it out. WWI mess kit no date and the price too much for one in this condition so I did walk away but only about 10 feet. Something wasn't right.

This is an 1874 model US mess kit. This is the third and final variation which production started in 1880. What kept me looking was the size, it just looked too small and it is a half inch smaller in both directions. The pull ring is actually a ring also. Many but not all 1910's have a slight point on the circle. The dead giveaway is it's made of steel, 1910's have aluminum bodies.

These were used in the Indian Wars and the Spanish American War and lasted as a substitute standard into WWI

This is my first and I didn't mind paying the exorbitant WWI price of $22.50.