Mess kits

Bypah · Post by **Bypah** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 7:44 am

Bypah wrote:I have also some bakelite cups, tumblers and bowls used in the mess halls back then....

Here is a photo of my complete bakelite flatware:

Yes...those are the ones I got from my grandfather.The bowl and the cup. Is the first time I have seen the food tray.Nice set!

I remember every day him having his afternoon coffee on that cup and telling his war stories...

Thanks!

Richard w. · Post by **Richard w.** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 10:12 am

Great looking pieces.

I recall that mugs and bowls like that were still in use at FT Irwin when I last went through there in 2000.

Richard w. · Post by **Richard w.** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:06 pm

The Sportsmans Guide has the old melamine coffee cups on sale now.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/1 ... x?a=604878

donaldjcheek · Post by **donaldjcheek** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 10:16 am

The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) has an interesting mess kit based on the US model. It is rectangular rather than oval, and with the lid/plate divided into 3 sections (one long & two short).

Also, the modern Japanese Army (JGSDF - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force) mess kit is substantially smaller than the WW2 and post-WW2 models. It resembles the old Han Gou, with the same wire bail & insert tray, but also has a folding wire handle for the cover/skillet which latches the three pieces together. The design also allows the folding wire handle to clip the cover/skillet to the insert tray to form a handy one-piece dining tray.

donaldjcheek · Post by **donaldjcheek** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 4:50 pm

Kinda rare (and seem to be rarely used), but the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) issue a British-type mess kit. It is made of heavy, thick aluminum with folding wire handles, They differ by having a large, circular bend in the handle near the pivot of the larger tin.

Bypah · Post by **Bypah** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 1:22 am

These are some examples of soviet/russian mess kits....

: soviet aluminum mess kit from the 80's. Was mostly used by VDV's and spetsnaz.

: WWII soviet M24" kotelok" or cooking pot.

: soviet M36 mess kit used since WWII.; soviet M36 mess kit.jpg (6.18 KiB) Viewed 10207 times

: WWII soviet canteen or "flyaga" with cover; soviet canteen.jpg (14.9 KiB) Viewed 10207 times

: another view of the soviet M36 mess kit, kotelok with a rare metal "lozhka" or spoon

: a "chashka" or aluminum cup WWII

donaldjcheek · Post by **donaldjcheek** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 1:22 pm

Here's a rare item - a Soviet M1941 glass canteen.

During the first years after the German invasion of 1941, Soviet industry lacked aluminium (reserved for airplane production), so several items of equipment (canteens, detonators, grenades - "Molotov's cocktail" - landmines, etc.) were made of glass.

Needless to say, they are very rare, as very, very few survived use in the field.

BTW, nice pics, Buran.

Treesuit · Post by **Treesuit** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 5:09 pm

On those bakelite cups, serving trays, etc. I can find them in abundance all over, between Ft. Lewis and McChord AFB. There still in use in some of the dining facilites and transient barracks.

Bypah · Post by **Bypah** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 10:26 pm

donaldjcheek wrote:Here's a rare item - a Soviet M1941 glass canteen.

During the first years after the German invasion of 1941, Soviet industry lacked aluminium (reserved for airplane production), so several items of equipment (canteens, detonators, grenades - "Molotov's cocktail" - landmines, etc.) were made of glass.

Needless to say, they are very rare, as very, very few survived use in the field.

BTW, nice pics, Buran.

Yes that's a rare piece indeed.I have seen some of them with their canteen cover at very steep prices on ebay.