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MODEL 1874 US ARMY MESS KIT OR MEAT CAN:
The standard issue mess equipment for the Indian War
soldier from 1874 into the 1890’s, the Model 1874 Mess
Kit, or as referred to in the language of the time, Meat
Can, was a necessary piece of equipment for every
soldier, providing him with both a plate and frying
pan.
These are very nice specimens which will display nicely
with a Model 1874 Cup, a set of utensils and a set of
condiment bags to complete the representative grouping
of the mess gear provided to each Indian Wars era
trooper.
I have the following examples for sale, each described
with accompanying photographs.
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NO. 1
MODEL 1874 US ARMY MEAT CAN - STAMPED "US":
This specimen retains the full form with no misshaping.
The plate/lid fits tightly into frying pan as it should
and the handle closes over the set to secure it
together. The handle and ring attachment are intact and
the “US” is present on the handle. The handle is
stamped with a unit applied inventory control number “31
INF B”, indicating this meat can was issued within
Company B of the 31ST Infantry Regiment. The
tin plating is still present on the exterior and
interior of both the plate and the pan, with the
interior of the pan showing evidence of having been
used, but nothing out of the ordinary. (0907) $125
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NO. 2
MODEL 1874 US ARMY MEAT CAN - STAMPED "NGP":
This specimen retains the full form with no misshaping.
The plate/lid fits tightly into frying pan as it should
and the handle closes over the set to secure it
together. The handle and ring attachment are intact.
Rather than the normally seen “US” on the handle, this
meat can is stamped "NGP", indicating issue within the
National Guard of Pennsylvania. State guard and
militia meat cans and cups do not show up on the market
as often as the various haversacks and blanket bags, and
to find a meat can in this condition is a good
opportunity to complete a full set of Pennsylvania mess
equipment. The tin plating is still present on the
exterior and interior of both the plate and the pan,
with the
interior of the plate showing evidence of having been
used with the marks left by the utensils, but nothing out of the ordinary. (0305) $125
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NO. 3
MODEL 1874 US ARMY MEAT CAN - STAMPED "US":
This specimen retains the full form with no misshaping.
The plate/lid fits tightly into the frying pan as it
should and the handle closes over the set to secure it
together. The handle and ring attachment are
intact and the “US” is present on the handle. The
tin plating is still present on the exterior and
interior of the pan and the plate, with no significant
wear to either one. (0304) $125
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