1890's Mess Kits

[Niederlander]

Gentlemen,  What mess kit would have been in use by the 1890's?  Would it have still been the 1874 equipment?  I'm looking to put one together that I can actually use.  When did the aluminum kits come into use?

[pony express]

I discovered this site during an earlier mess kit discussion . Everything you ever wanted to know about mess kits:

http://www.history.army.mil/html/museums/messkits/Field_Mess_Gear(upd_Jul09).pdf


Edit: You can shortcut to page 33 for the 1874, primary issue up to 1910, used as late as WW1 as secondary issue.

Aluminum cans began in 1942.

[Niederlander]

Thanks!  I found that site after I posted this morning.  It looks like I'll probably go with the aluminum World War 1 type, as I can't find anyone that makes the 1874.  No one will see it most of the time anyway.

[Ben Beam]

What about this? http://www.blockaderunner.com/Catalog/catpg26.htm

[Pitspitr]

From my conversations with F-Trooper, Jerry Lee is gearing up to make the M-1874 Type II

[Niederlander]

Then I'll wait!  Is he planning to make the utensils, too?

[Pitspitr]

Not that I'm aware of.

You could get antique civilian pattern table service.

[Niederlander]

The 1904 and 1910 stuff looks fairly close.