Original Item: Only One Kit Available. The 1909 Infantry Board recommended a new “meat can” mess kit that became standard issue in 1910. The 1910 mess kit was similar to previous models but larger, 8 ½” long by 6 ¾” wide by approximately 1 ½” deep and was made of aluminum. Like the earlier covers, which doubled as a plate, it fit into the top of the “frying pan” portion and was secured by a folding galvanized iron handle.

Early in 1918 the American Expeditionary Force reported that the 1910 pattern top plate was too shallow and recommended a deeper configuration. A new mess kit with a lid one half inch deeper, and an appropriately corresponding folding handle quickly went into production as the model 1918.

Prior to 1918, the M1910 meat can was manufactured exclusively by Rock Island Arsenal. Known manufacturers for the M1910 and M1918 meat cans during WWI included: Aluminum Company of America, Landers, Frary & Clark, The J.W. Brown Manufacturing Co.. Wheeling Stamping Co, Edmund & Jones Co and Rock Island Arsenal. This example is stamped on the folding handle with R.I.A. / 1911 for manufacture by Rock Island Arsenal in 1911.

Both the lid and the bottom of the basin are heavily decorated and personalized. The front shows an image of what we believe is to be a likeness of the Dutch exotic dancer Mata Hari, with a right facing General Pershing to her back right. The wording reads as:

VICTORY
CAMPAIGN
J.R.P
U.S - F.A
A.E.F

This would be the initials of the owner “JRP”, then “United States Field Artillery” and last “American Expeditionary Forces”. It would be difficult to find a name to the initials unless one had obtained a 3rd Artillery roster, but it is not impossible!

Margaretha Geertruida MacLeod, better known by the stage name Mata Hari, was a Dutch exotic dancer and courtesan who was convicted of being a spy for Germany during World War I. She was executed by firing squad in France. The idea of a beautiful exotic dancer using her powers of seduction as a spy made her name synonymous with the femme fatale. Her story has served as an inspiration for many books, films, and other works.

The bottom of the mess kit has a sort of timeline of travel with over two dozen locations, some of which include Metz, Verdun, St. Mihel, Argonne Woods and Boston which we believe to be where he was from. There are also the names of ships at the top, which would be good starting points for research.

A lovely example packed with research potential! Comes more than ready for further research and display.