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VARIANT INDIAN WAR ERA CUP – COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE
“SOUP CUP” – SOLDIER ID’d AND MARKED “MNG”:
Considerably deeper than the Model 1874 Cup, this US
Army issue cup appeared at some point late in the Indian
War period and has been associated with the final
campaigns in the Southwest as well as continued use
during the Spanish American War. Normally found without
the “US” marking as is the case with this specimen, this
taller cup has come to be known as the “soup cup”,
acknowledging the capacity of this cup to hold a
soldier’s meal in the field such as beans, stew or a
hearty soup. Drawn from a single piece of iron as
opposed to the two piece construction of the Model 1874
Cup, the bottom of this soup cup is integral to the
sides of the cup, and the bottom edge is rounded rather
than at right angle as on the earlier cups eliminating
the risk of the bottom splitting away from the sides.
Measuring 4 7/8” high and 4 ½” in diameter, this
specimen has seen some use, but is in overall solid
condition with no holes or heavy corrosion. The handle
is intact and firmly attached. The body of the cup has
a few areas of very minor pitting, but none of the pin
holes or weak spots usually found on these cups. The
rim is very strong and it has a pair of cuts a little
over ½” apart and ½” long. These two cuts were
intentionally applied, I suspect by the soldier, to
fashion a slot to secure his spoon handle while he
sipped from the cup. Below the cut on the side of the
cup is engraved “# 2” and “M”. The handle of this cup
is stamped “MNG” indicating issue to a National Guard
unit from Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan or Montana.
The bottom surface of the cup bears an etched legend
applied by the soldier to identify his cup which reads
in part, “M. M.” and “MARKLY” and a faint number below
the name.
Well recognized by experienced collectors, these cups
are far from common, and when found appear to have been
subjected to heavy use. This is a very nice, soldier
identified cup to place with your Apache Wars or Spanish
American War display. $150
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