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MODEL 1874 US ARMY MESS SPOON: These
original Indian War Period US Army Issue Model 1874 Mess
Spoons, standard issue to every soldier, were made of
lightweight plated tin and were no where near as strong
as the M1874 Knife and Fork. As a result the spoons did
not survive in the same numbers as the other two
utensils, and are often missing from an Indian War
display.
Unmarked as is common for these spoons, this is the
exact pattern spoon chosen by the Ordnance Equipment
Board in 1874 and produced by Lamson, Goodenew & Co. of
New York. This same pattern spoon is shown is a number
of different references to include Ordnance Memoranda
No. 19, Infantry Equipment 1874. The spoon, shown
below photographed against the diagram plate of Ordnance
Memoranda No. 19 which contains the line drawing of the
utensils, is a full sized specimen, approximately 7”
long and the same length as the Model 1874 Fork and
Knife. This spoon is in excellent condition – full form
with the original tin plating intact.
Never particularly common, these spoons have become
scarce on the market and it is difficult to find a
decent one to complete your saddlebags or haversack in
conjunction with the mess kit, cup, and ration bags.
$75
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