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M1883 US ARMY MESS HALL STOOL: As
pictured in this National Archive photo taken at a Ft.
Sill Mess Hall in the 1880’s, this is a standard unit
and army post issue M1883 Mess Hall Stool. Sold as
surplus out of Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas years
ago and having survived in private homes, farms and
ranches in the area by continuing service as milking
stools and kitchen step stools, these relics of the
Indian War Army Mess Halls are now beginning to surface
once again. I have handled about 50 of these stools so
far and they are all a little different. Most of these
stools were not marked, or the markings did not survive
the passage of time and use. Of those that are marked,
I have seen a wide variation of stenciled "US", a "US"
stamped with a metal stamping tool, and specimens
stamped with regimental markings and no "US". The
little fire plug shaped block that serves as the
intersection of the iron rods are also seen in a variety
of styles, but all the same basic domed shape, and were
originally intended not only as a structural support,
but also a place for the soldier to rest his forage cap
while at the table. All the stools are basically the
same dimensions, but I have seen specimens made entirely
of oak, some out of poplar, some out of walnut, one I
think was mahogany, and any number of them that were a
mixture of oak, and/or walnut, and/or poplar. I own two
that I use in my display room. One can be traced to Ft.
McKavitt here in Texas and it is stamped "US" dating
from the 1880's and the other is stenciled "CMTC" for
the Civilian Military Training Camp, indicating it was
used in the 1930's, so apparently these stools stayed in
service for some time. Due to the variations I have
seen, I believe these were supplied by a number of
civilian contractors and were probably shipped in pieces
to the posts in the West, to be assembled by the troops
that received them. The army commonly provided the
barracks and post furniture to the Indian War army in
kit form and it stands to reason as it made shipping
much easier. As a result, I think this also accounts
for the mixture of woods in some of the specimens. Due
to these having gone into the civilian world when
painting furniture was in vogue, when I find these
stools they are often covered in some of the most
hideous paint schemes imaginable. I strip the paint and
refinish the stools in the natural wood grain, with a
hand rubbed wax finish. The stool pictured is a sample
of what these stools look like when they are finished.
They are a very attractive, practical, and convenient addition to your
display room. Please check with me to determine what I
have in stock. Price is dependent on identifying marks
and condition.
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