Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an exceptional original U.S. WWI aluminum mess kit manufactured by Landers, Frary & Clark in 1918 and extensively personalized with hand-engraved trench art. The lid bears the initials O.A.K. surrounded by a laurel wreath, while its reverse carries a particularly well-executed image of a young female swimmer at the water’s edge. The bowl is further decorated with an elaborate American patriotic composition depicting an eagle, United States flag, and setting sun, creating a remarkably personalized piece of American WWI field equipment.

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.

This is a very interesting engraved mess kit manufactured by Landers Frary & Clark in 1918. The lid of the mess kit is engraved on the front with the soldier’s initials surrounded by laurels, O.A.K., while the back of the lid has a very clean depiction of a female swimmer in a one-piece swimsuit with her hair in a spotted handkerchief. The detailing on her swimsuit and the water is quite attractive.

The back of the bowl portion is etched with a glorious American eagle flag motif in front of a setting sun, perhaps denoting the 41st Division. The pull ring on the lid is missing, as often happens to these.

With its 1918 Landers, Frary & Clark manufacture, O.A.K. personalization, finely engraved female swimmer, American eagle and flag composition, setting-sun imagery, and extensive period-style hand decoration, this is a particularly attractive surviving example of American WWI trench art and a strong representation of the personal material culture of the American Expeditionary Forces.