DOUGHBOYS: World War I-Mess Gear

Mess Gear Click on the images for a larger image.
M1910 Meat Cans
Soldiers would eat their rations from these M1910 meat cans, also known as the mess kit. Two variations of the meat can are pictured. The meat can was carried in the haversack's meat can pouch along with the knife, fork and spoon.The meat can on the left is the thinner pre 1918 model. The one on the right is the 1918 model which was deeper than the earlier model. With the 1918 model, the meat can was slightly increased in size so that soldiers at the front line could recieve a larger portion containing the calories needed to sustain oneself during combat.
A typical meal to fill the meat can would have been the infamous "slum", which was a meal made from whatever items the cook would have on hand. Slum would consist of a number of different meals, in otherwords, left overs combined into one meal. Soldiers at the front line would also eat such items as corned beef ( known as Argentine beef, Argentine horse meat, or monkey meat), canned salmon, powdered eggs, and lots of canned tomatoes. Soldiers complained about the rations which they felt lacked in variety. Fruits and vegetables were a rarity, with the exception of canned tomatos which were issued in mass quantites. Doughboys also consumed a lot of tomato juice. Soldiers on the front line grew tired of such items as canned salmon and they longed for other things like candy, fruit, jams, and milk.
Eating Utensils
Seen here are a 1917 dated knife, a 1917 dated fork, and a 1918 dated spoon. The knife and fork each had it's own leather sheath which protected the meat can pouch from damage and wear when carrying the utensils. The spoon never had a sheath.
M1916 Bacon Can
Soldiers would carry their meat rations in a M1916 bacon can. Two bacon cans manufactured in 1918 by two different companies are shown here.
Condiment Can
The double ended condiment can would contain the soldier's three day ration of salt, sugar, coffee and etc. This condiment can was manufactured by the American Can Company which has it's name stamped into the dished cap on one end of the can. When I purchased this example it had four brand new Tetley tea bags inside, possibly from World War I. The tea bags can be viewed on the personal items page.
Abercrombie & Fitch Mess kit and Canteen
Officers were required to procure their own uniforms and accouterments. This mess kit/ canteen combo was made by Abercrombie & Fitch and is a typical private purchase item available to officers. Some officers even purchased larger mess sets capable of serving several men at one meal. These were officers whose duty was behind the front lines. Combat officers at the front only carried what was necessary. GWS Collection

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