{"product_id":"original-wwi-u-s-trench-art-engraved-4th-infantry-division-decorated-messkit-co-e-39th-infantry-a-e-f","title":"Original WWI U.S. Trench Art Engraved 4th Infantry Division Decorated Messkit- Co.E, 39th Infantry, A.E.F.","description":"Original Item:One Of A Kind. Trench Art Engraved U.S. Mess Kit personalized by a member of Company “E’, 39th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. Often a means to pass the time during the doldrums of soldier life, Trench Art was a popular pastime for the combatants of the First World War. The extended periods spent in the trenches permitted those with an artistic or creative knack to hone their skills. Trench art was so popular, in fact, that the local population even created items to sell to soldiers to send home as souvenirs. \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe mess kit is decorated on both front and back. The top lid being decorated with stars, a federal style shield with the soldier’s initials \u003cstrong\u003e“L.M.B.”\u003c\/strong\u003e, followed by \u003cstrong\u003e“Co-E 39th Inf.\/AEF”\u003c\/strong\u003e. The bottom of the mess kit is hand engraved with a representation of the 4th Infantry Division (“Clover” or “Ivy [IV]” Insignia.  We have not conducted any research in order to determine who the original owner was. However, if one gained access to the muster rolls of Company E, 39th Infantry, that would not be a hard task to achieve.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Mess Kit itself is a standard issue  1918 dated M-1910 Mess Kit made by the firm Landers, Frary \u0026amp; Clark (L.F.\u0026amp;C.), who also made the famous M-1918 “Knuckle Duster” Trench Knife.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39805943676997,"sku":"ONJR22GS89","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONJR22GS89__01.jpg?v=1644602979","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-wwi-u-s-trench-art-engraved-4th-infantry-division-decorated-messkit-co-e-39th-infantry-a-e-f","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}