I’ve got the WW1 canteen that was re-issued to my Dad in WW2. They were without field kitchens for several weeks in the Battle of the Bulge. When they were relieved, they went through a shower tent (uniforms were burned ) and then new uniforms and trip through the chow tent. Next were the puke barrels, because they hadn’t eaten anything hot for several weeks. They were definitely made of stronger stuff than today’s people. Thanks for a great video. Good gear stands the test of time.
The mess kit and canteen look good for 100 years old. They're still functional which is even better. The food looked GREAT John! You're making me hungry for breakfast Man! Have Fun John!
Bart Walker Lol. Thanks! I try to cook some good stuff when I go out. The problem is for me coming up with something original to share! Thanks for watching my video and for commenting!
I've got two Vietnam War surplus mess kits. One is a '65 Carrollton and the other is a '66 Regal (most common one I've seen sold online). They both required just a little handle tweaking to open and close securely and to keep the top pan in place while I was holding it in my left hand. I had to get the 3-piece utensils for each one separately, but it was worth it! The butterfly handles on the Vietnam canteen cup, in my opinion, were a big improvement over the locking L-bracket which tended to pinch your fingers when you folded it. Plus, sometimes the lock would come undone while the cup was full. Those of you who remember that scene in "Windtalkers" know what I'm talking about! The USGI "meat can" mess kit is one of the best things America ever made! You can't go wrong with stainless steel anything!I don't know if I would cook a meal in the cup or bottom pan, but it's great to know that I could if I had to!
Carolina Chris Outdoors Thanks! I hope I can find a decent WW1 cover and matching silverware for a good price. The cover and silverware in the video goes with my WW2 1944 mess kit I have. Thanks for watching another one and for your comment! Take care!
Great to see you out and about again John!!! Those are some amazing pieces of history you have there! Thank you for sharing them with all of us brother! And as always...I am very hungry after watching! Blessings John!
Miles D Lol. I think I make myself hungry too while editing! I’m out of school for the summer and I have been listening to that first CD today. Pretty good stuff. You and your band have a good sound. I plan to pop the other one in sometime this next week while working around the house. Blessings to you my friend!
This was AWESOME John! I really enjoyed it. Great kit, great food, and you did a GREAT job cooking on those old pieces of history. Thanks for sharing!!
Hi John, Probably not the first time somebody made coffee in that old 'Butt Cup.' I woulda used the egg shells to settle the grounds of the Cowboy Coffee, but that's just how I learned it. I remember seeing a You Tube video, or reading online about an early Army field bread recipe so the soldier could bake his own bread in the [undivided] 'Meat Can'. [ Kinda puts the dough in "Doughboy." ] The lid was clasped over the pan and the Mess kit was put on coals then more coals were shoveled on top. When the loaf had baked, he had a full ration of field bread. Never tried it, though. I have a WWII Meat Can. Steel. ''US / E.A. Co. / 1943.'' I also collected a metal-capped USGI cateen, aluminum, marked '7 US / ACA1918'. I have a very similar carrier, OD w/ grey felt liner, and on the bottom some organizational stencilling ''IP-1U'' . No idea was that was all about. On the front are 7 vertical stitch lines. The back only has a seam down to the reinforcing pistol belt clip patch. A seamstress would call it a ''gore''. The main seam is on one side. It is marked [Cxxxxxtt]* / MFG CO / 1951. Not too sure about that date, (could also be '4091') top and bottom lines illegeble. They made that style cover a long time if it's from the Korean Police Action. But I got the set from a Korea vet. No Butt cup. * Guesses are -- if the first lettler is really a C -- Calumet, Clampett, Carhartt. ? WDFK. Thanks for the video.
I can tell you are in Florida and I miss those sounds and sights. Funny that the canteen is from Rock Island. I live not far from there now and it’s still an armory.
That had me wanting some eggs which is a bit ironic since I have 8 chickens, but was 100 miles from their butt nuggets. That might be my favorite kit of yours I have seen. That canteen looked ancient.
When I served in the US Army from 79 to 83 we were issued one of two different style of metal Canteen Cups with our TA-50 issue. The older WW II type that was very similar to the version you have. The other type was the Butterfly thick wire type which were newer. I preferred the older cup because the handle locked in place more positively.
Bill23799 First, thanks for your service! Second, I agree with you totally. The earlier style handle is much better that the butterfly style. Thanks for watching my video!
My Grandfather was in WWI in France with Gen. Pershing (Black Jack Pershing). It's possible he used this kit or one just like it. He was awarded Two Silver Stars. Thanks for sharing.
buck shot that’s awesome. I hope he was able to share his experience with you or someone in the family. I am thankful for men like your grandfather and for serving. My kit probably wasn’t used in the trenches. Its in too good of shape. It does have wear from use but in my opinion not enough for use in combat. Thanks for watching and for your comment!
love that water bottle, .. i have a modern copy in stainless steel in my camping kit, the cuts on the bottom of the cup appear that it was used as a cutting block (maybe for meat) I used a mess kit that way in the past and had similar wear/cut marks.
neil castell you are probably right. The marks are cool to me because it gives it some kind of history while it was in service. The mess kit I used in the video only had cut marks in the pan from probably cutting meat of something. I really enjoyed making this video so thanks for watching it and for commenting!
This World War I mess kit is pretty neat I wonder why the tab on the plate is off-center unlike the World War II mess kit also very cool that you took the time to do all the research on this
bigbuck762 I don’t really know but I can only guess that it was offset so the handle could fold flat against the plate. There may be another reason but I’m not sure. Thanks for watching and for your comment!
IainB It does. I was suspect of it when I first got it. It has a lot of cut marks in the pan from use that you can’t see in the video and I believe it may have had chow line use stateside. It definitely was stored well. Thanks for watching and for your comment!
@@John-Sherwood-W4JFS Always a pleasure John. For years I worked for an auction house here in Scotland and one of the things I miss about the busness is guys like you talking knowledgeably and enthusistically aout their subjects.Keep up the good work.
josephd27 It was pretty awesome. I just sat there for a minute and thought about the soldiers that used that cup. It’s definitely one of my favorite canteen cup sets now. Thanks for watching another one!
nice set John...i once had the 1910 haversack complete with pouch, mess kit and Utensils...they referred to the pouch as the "Meat Can" in which rode the mess kit and utensils. the removable pouch attached to the top lid of the haversack using straps and small D rings...as you probably already know, the Meat can on the 1910 was secured by a brass button. ...,in use the whole setup was a nightmare to use and carry...great bit of history though!...atb...woods
MTwoodsrunner hello Woods! Thanks for stopping by. I didn’t know that the pouch has a brass button. I haven’t actually held one yet. But I’m on the hunt for one along with some utensils for my collection. I will get them one day when the time is right. Thanks for the information and thanks for watching another video!
Awesome breakfast. I just bought a WWII French Army canteen. It has a bakelit lid and I saw someone on RUclips say it might not be good to hang the water canteen over a fire e.g. on a tripod etc due to the lid. FLORIDA BOY sent me your way and said you might know?
Urban Grrl Hello! Thanks for your question. First off, I want to make sure we are talking about the same canteen set. Here is my first video I made on the French Army set that I have: ruclips.net/video/_QvMl7cuinE/видео.html Let me know if yours is the same.
Wow John what a great old kit . Awesome that you cook your meal in it . The looks of the kit is very similar trough the years with the Vietnam era included with a few little differences but all and alI I think the same. I did not know that the American mess and canteen kits looked that way during the First world war . Thanks a lot for showing your WW 1 kit :)
Martin Outdoors It was fun showing it off and actually cooking something in them. That canteen set is one of my favorites now. It’s just dripping with history! Thanks for watching another one Martin and take care.
John, i am worried, just a few ideas : never use olive oil for mess kits. Use coconut oil or whatever oil has a superior smoking point especially when you are cooking over coal. Don't cook to much in new aluminium mess kits and especially for demonstrations purposes when they are old but new. You need to season aluminium mess kits or at least do the aluminium surface oxidization which will turn your aluminium pot usually to a strange color but it's safe to cook and eat after.You don't end up with Alhzeimer disease without those , but you are sure eating a lot of aluminium composites. In the rest thumbs Up , i love your videos. Cheers , Alex.
I learn from your videos. Thanks. I will suggest clearing out the dry debris under the stoves. I have seen a tipping GI stove start a fire. Embarrassing at the least.
The number on the handle is the guys laundry number from ww2 this mess kit was probably not issued until ww2 and the guy who got it put his laundry number on it its the first letter in the last name and the last 4 of there service number.
Zurgo 2004 it shouldn’t because it appears to be welded. I have a welding shop at the vocational school I work at. I can ask the instructor to take a look at it.
Zurgo 2004 I can have mine looked at. It’s older than yours but I’m pretty sure they were made the same way. Did you see this resource? It states that the aluminum canteens were welded: history.army.mil/html/museums/messkits/Field_Mess_Gear.pdf
GarouLady Thank you for your question. The silverware can be found on eBay by searching “US Military Silverware”. Also, if you live in the US, these can be found at most military surplus stores. Thanks for watching!
Derek Todd it’s just ground corn. More coarse of a grind than corn meal. When made right, it is very creamy and tasty. One of my favorites. It’s also more of a southern US traditional dish like Cream of Wheat is more popular in the northern states. Here in the south, not only do we like it with breakfast but it is a popular side dish with fried fish. I hope this answers your question. Thanks for watching!
I’ve got the WW1 canteen that was re-issued to my Dad in WW2. They were without field kitchens for several weeks in the Battle of the Bulge. When they were relieved, they went through a shower tent (uniforms were burned )
and then new uniforms and trip through the chow tent. Next were the puke barrels, because they hadn’t eaten anything hot for several weeks.
They were definitely made of stronger stuff than today’s people.
Thanks for a great video. Good gear stands the test of time.
The mess kit and canteen look good for 100 years old. They're still functional which is even better. The food looked GREAT John! You're making me hungry for breakfast Man! Have Fun John!
Bart Walker Lol. Thanks! I try to cook some good stuff when I go out. The problem is for me coming up with something original to share! Thanks for watching my video and for commenting!
I've got two Vietnam War surplus mess kits. One is a '65 Carrollton and the other is a '66 Regal (most common one I've seen sold online). They both required just a little handle tweaking to open and close securely and to keep the top pan in place while I was holding it in my left hand. I had to get the 3-piece utensils for each one separately, but it was worth it! The butterfly handles on the Vietnam canteen cup, in my opinion, were a big improvement over the locking L-bracket which tended to pinch your fingers when you folded it. Plus, sometimes the lock would come undone while the cup was full. Those of you who remember that scene in "Windtalkers" know what I'm talking about!
The USGI "meat can" mess kit is one of the best things America ever made! You can't go wrong with stainless steel anything!I don't know if I would cook a meal in the cup or bottom pan, but it's great to know that I could if I had to!
That was cool. I don't think I've ever seen a real mess kit cover, with utensil sleeves. Thanks for sharing your "oldies".
Carolina Chris Outdoors Thanks! I hope I can find a decent WW1 cover and matching silverware for a good price. The cover and silverware in the video goes with my WW2 1944 mess kit I have. Thanks for watching another one and for your comment! Take care!
Not sure how I missed this one John! Two awesome kits right there brother! Thanks for sharing them with us...and as always...I'm HUNGRY!!!
Great to see you out and about again John!!! Those are some amazing pieces of history you have there! Thank you for sharing them with all of us brother! And as always...I am very hungry after watching! Blessings John!
Miles D Lol. I think I make myself hungry too while editing! I’m out of school for the summer and I have been listening to that first CD today. Pretty good stuff. You and your band have a good sound. I plan to pop the other one in sometime this next week while working around the house. Blessings to you my friend!
@@John-Sherwood-W4JFS Well then...Happy Summer my friend! And thank you for your kind words! Enjoy and God bless you and your family!
I just discovered your channel. This is EXACTLY what I wanted. Thank you!
Tony Sizzle I’m glad you are enjoying it. I hope to get out and make some more soon. Thanks for watching!
This was AWESOME John! I really enjoyed it. Great kit, great food, and you did a GREAT job cooking on those old pieces of history. Thanks for sharing!!
JT Survival Systems Thanks for watching! It was a great day being out with those two pieces of history. Catch you next time.
Hi John, Probably not the first time somebody made coffee in that old 'Butt Cup.' I woulda used the egg shells to settle the grounds of the Cowboy Coffee, but that's just how I learned it. I remember seeing a You Tube video, or reading online about an early Army field bread recipe so the soldier could bake his own bread in the [undivided] 'Meat Can'. [ Kinda puts the dough in "Doughboy." ] The lid was clasped over the pan and the Mess kit was put on coals then more coals were shoveled on top. When the loaf had baked, he had a full ration of field bread. Never tried it, though.
I have a WWII Meat Can. Steel. ''US / E.A. Co. / 1943.''
I also collected a metal-capped USGI cateen, aluminum, marked '7 US / ACA1918'. I have a very similar carrier, OD w/ grey felt liner, and on the bottom some organizational stencilling ''IP-1U'' . No idea was that was all about. On the front are 7 vertical stitch lines. The back only has a seam down to the reinforcing pistol belt clip patch. A seamstress would call it a ''gore''. The main seam is on one side. It is marked [Cxxxxxtt]* / MFG CO / 1951. Not too sure about that date, (could also be '4091') top and bottom lines illegeble. They made that style cover a long time if it's from the Korean Police Action. But I got the set from a Korea vet. No Butt cup.
* Guesses are -- if the first lettler is really a C -- Calumet, Clampett, Carhartt. ? WDFK.
Thanks for the video.
Cream of tartar will remove discoloration from aluminum; add some to boiling water inside the cup...or, cook tomato sauce in ti. :)
StandsWithABeer Thank you for that tip. I forgot about cream of tartar. I have some I will try. Thanks for watching and for your comment!
I really like the way you did this video ALOT of history and information and how to use it great job!!!
msgt1942 thank you. I appreciate your comment. Thanks for watching!
Great video on. Just got a 1918 mess kit from a flea market, $6. Can't wait to try it.
Chester Goode would be damn proud of those coffee skills young man! Just missing some egg shells!
I can tell you are in Florida and I miss those sounds and sights. Funny that the canteen is from Rock Island. I live not far from there now and it’s still an armory.
These videos are so relaxing to watch.
Johnny Rook Thanks! It’s fun to get out and cook for you guys in different surplus stuff. Thanks for watching my video and for commenting!
That had me wanting some eggs which is a bit ironic since I have 8 chickens, but was 100 miles from their butt nuggets. That might be my favorite kit of yours I have seen. That canteen looked ancient.
Great video John! It looks like the start to a very peaceful day. I've never seen a WW-1 set before,so thanks for the excellent review!
Roadie_Guru Thank you! It was fun to do. I just hope all of the information i shared is 100% correct. Thanks for watching my video!
When I served in the US Army from 79 to 83 we were issued one of two different style
of metal Canteen Cups with our TA-50 issue. The older WW II type that was very similar
to the version you have. The other type was the Butterfly thick wire type which were newer.
I preferred the older cup because the handle locked in place more positively.
Bill23799 First, thanks for your service! Second, I agree with you totally. The earlier style handle is much better that the butterfly style. Thanks for watching my video!
The handle on the cup is made of brass. Great vid
Erik Midér Thanks. After taking another look at it, I believe you are right. Thanks for pointing that out and thanks for watching my video!
Its a brass alloy
Not just brass
The colour is the key
My Grandfather was in WWI in France with Gen. Pershing (Black Jack Pershing). It's possible he used this kit or one just like it. He was awarded Two Silver Stars. Thanks for sharing.
buck shot that’s awesome. I hope he was able to share his experience with you or someone in the family. I am thankful for men like your grandfather and for serving. My kit probably wasn’t used in the trenches. Its in too good of shape. It does have wear from use but in my opinion not enough for use in combat. Thanks for watching and for your comment!
That looks like my grandpa mess kit . From Glenn catt babe faces number one.
love that water bottle, .. i have a modern copy in stainless steel in my camping kit, the cuts on the bottom of the cup appear that it was used as a cutting block (maybe for meat) I used a mess kit that way in the past and had similar wear/cut marks.
neil castell you are probably right. The marks are cool to me because it gives it some kind of history while it was in service. The mess kit I used in the video only had cut marks in the pan from probably cutting meat of something. I really enjoyed making this video so thanks for watching it and for commenting!
This World War I mess kit is pretty neat I wonder why the tab on the plate is off-center unlike the World War II mess kit also very cool that you took the time to do all the research on this
bigbuck762 I don’t really know but I can only guess that it was offset so the handle could fold flat against the plate. There may be another reason but I’m not sure. Thanks for watching and for your comment!
That pan looks in great nick for its age.
IainB It does. I was suspect of it when I first got it. It has a lot of cut marks in the pan from use that you can’t see in the video and I believe it may have had chow line use stateside. It definitely was stored well. Thanks for watching and for your comment!
@@John-Sherwood-W4JFS Always a pleasure John. For years I worked for an auction house here in Scotland and one of the things I miss about the busness is guys like you talking knowledgeably and enthusistically aout their subjects.Keep up the good work.
Drinking coffee with 100 year old canteen cup. Nice
josephd27 It was pretty awesome. I just sat there for a minute and thought about the soldiers that used that cup. It’s definitely one of my favorite canteen cup sets now. Thanks for watching another one!
@@John-Sherwood-W4JFS your welcome sir, look forward to what you got for us next
I’m not a southern boy but I would put the grits on my eggs. 😊
Oxxnarr D'flame Yes! It’s the best! Eggs over medium and chopped into the grits. Thanks for watching!
nice set John...i once had the 1910 haversack complete with pouch, mess kit and Utensils...they referred to the pouch as the "Meat Can" in which rode the mess kit and utensils.
the removable pouch attached to the top lid of the haversack using straps and small D rings...as you probably already know, the Meat can on the 1910 was secured by a brass button. ...,in use the whole setup was a nightmare to use and carry...great bit of history though!...atb...woods
MTwoodsrunner hello Woods! Thanks for stopping by. I didn’t know that the pouch has a brass button. I haven’t actually held one yet. But I’m on the hunt for one along with some utensils for my collection. I will get them one day when the time is right. Thanks for the information and thanks for watching another video!
10:05
Awesome breakfast. I just bought a WWII French Army canteen. It has a bakelit lid and I saw someone on RUclips say it might not be good to hang the water canteen over a fire e.g. on a tripod etc due to the lid. FLORIDA BOY sent me your way and said you might know?
Urban Grrl Hello! Thanks for your question. First off, I want to make sure we are talking about the same canteen set. Here is my first video I made on the French Army set that I have: ruclips.net/video/_QvMl7cuinE/видео.html
Let me know if yours is the same.
Wow John what a great old kit . Awesome that you cook your meal in it . The looks of the kit is very similar trough the years with the Vietnam era included with a few little differences but all and alI I think the same. I did not know that the American mess and canteen kits looked that way during the First world war . Thanks a lot for showing your WW 1 kit :)
Martin Outdoors It was fun showing it off and actually cooking something in them. That canteen set is one of my favorites now. It’s just dripping with history! Thanks for watching another one Martin and take care.
Long time no see. Love your "backyard" adventures. Make more.
Bert Kelly Thank you. I have been pretty busy lately. Thanks for watching my video and for your comment!
That canteen is cool. Time ta hit up ebay ect ect. Ha let the fun begin
Oh man, you're killing those eggs by turning them. Best wishes from Northern Ireland.
John, i am worried, just a few ideas :
never use olive oil for mess kits. Use coconut oil or whatever oil has a superior smoking point especially when you are cooking over coal.
Don't cook to much in new aluminium mess kits and especially for demonstrations purposes when they are old but new.
You need to season aluminium mess kits or at least do the aluminium surface oxidization which will turn your aluminium pot usually to a strange color but it's safe to cook and eat after.You don't end up with Alhzeimer disease without those , but you are sure eating a lot of aluminium composites.
In the rest thumbs Up , i love your videos.
Cheers ,
Alex.
most of the holes in the handles were added by the cooks as a means to hang them on a hook to air dry
Very well done, nice.
Drex Ferguson Thank you very much! And thanks for watching my video!
Great video
That the vets service number on the handle H was his last name
I learn from your videos. Thanks. I will suggest clearing out the dry debris under the stoves. I have seen a tipping GI stove start a fire. Embarrassing at the least.
Cool video! Your canteen has someone’s name scratched into it.
The number on the handle is the guys laundry number from ww2 this mess kit was probably not issued until ww2 and the guy who got it put his laundry number on it its the first letter in the last name and the last 4 of there service number.
They sell “fabric glue” at Walmart for $1
a couple drops would fix that seam
Might want to research again on the mess kit. I have one swell. They are not Aluminum. They are steel. Aluminum ones did not come out till mid WWII
Kirby Robertson Please check out pages 32-35
www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&ved=2ahUKEwjc2NzRxtnlAhXhuFkKHZoRBnsQFjAEegQICRAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fhistory.army.mil%2Fhtml%2Fmuseums%2Fmesskits%2FField_Mess_Gear(upd_Jul09).pdf&usg=AOvVaw3lzz5nynJAVht2ragsruH0
Yes they are
I couldn't get results anywhere, but does the A.C.A. 1918 canteen contain lead solder? Is it safe to drink from?
Zurgo 2004 it shouldn’t because it appears to be welded. I have a welding shop at the vocational school I work at. I can ask the instructor to take a look at it.
@@John-Sherwood-W4JFS Thanks, I can't send it though
Zurgo 2004 I can have mine looked at. It’s older than yours but I’m pretty sure they were made the same way. Did you see this resource? It states that the aluminum canteens were welded: history.army.mil/html/museums/messkits/Field_Mess_Gear.pdf
Apple sauce will clean that nice then cook on meadem to hi heat. From Glenn catt babe faces number one.your welcome
Good eating
the beginning reminded me of a old kung fu movie lol with the lip thing
How good are those egg carrying- things
Nice
Willis Blevins Thanks very much!
Did they ever made WW1 sets in stainless steel John
No
The handle is a brass alloy
question sir. where did you get the spoon with the hole in it and does it come with a fork that is the same way?
GarouLady Thank you for your question. The silverware can be found on eBay by searching “US Military Silverware”. Also, if you live in the US, these can be found at most military surplus stores. Thanks for watching!
For the uneducated here, what exactly is in US grits?
Derek Todd it’s just ground corn. More coarse of a grind than corn meal. When made right, it is very creamy and tasty. One of my favorites. It’s also more of a southern US traditional dish like Cream of Wheat is more popular in the northern states. Here in the south, not only do we like it with breakfast but it is a popular side dish with fried fish. I hope this answers your question. Thanks for watching!
do you do lead testing on your old stuff.... just wondering
Those are collector items I wouldn't be trashing on them out in the field
Aren’t the seems of the canteen welded with lead?
Don't worry about it
I hear spam is gross but I guess in the war it was considered delicious
"They dont make em like this anymore"
...wab high quality reproductions?...
He probably refers to the things modern militaries use, or perhaps replicas don't exist of those items.
You should know that