Description
WWI PIE TIN STYLE “EMERGENCY” MESS KIT: SCARCE ITEM
When the US entered the first world war, it was determined that our military was suffering from a terrible supply shortage and that contractors could not produce the M1910 “Meat Can” mess kit fast enough to put one in the hands of every Soldier, Sailor and Marine prior to them entering training and/or shipping off to Europe. So, the government made the decision to stamp out these “pie tin” style mess kits as quickly and easily as possible to rush them to the troops. Hence, the term “emergency” mess kit because they were produced for the national/international emergency. As they were large, heavy, produced quickly and very early in the war, they saw nowhere near the production numbers of the M1910. So, examples such as this one that remain in GOOD, SOLID Condition, are rather scarce. This on is completely correct in every way. These did NOT bear a date and everything lines up correctly and fastens nicely on this example. Great piece for your early WWI display or gear collection.