{"title":"Original WW1 Uniforms and field gear","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"original-wwi-u-s-army-mess-kit-set-complete-with-utensils","title":"Original WWI U.S. Army Mess Kit Set – Complete with Utensils","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA genuine and well-presed example of a World War I-era U.S. Army mess kit, complete with its original matching utensils. Constructed of lightweight aluminum, the kit features the classic two-piece design used by American doughboys during the \u003ca href=\"chatgpt:\/\/generic-entity?number=0\"\u003eWorld War I\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe exterior retains its correct oval form with a folding handle, clearly stamped “U.S.” along with a maker’s mark, consistent with wartime production. The kit opens to reveal a clean interior and includes a period knife, fork, and spoon—each stamped “U.S.”, with the knife dated 1917, firmly placing this set in early American wartime mobilization.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe utensils show honest field wear and patina, while the mess tin itself displays typical surface marks from service use, adding to its authenticity and character. The retaining ring is still present, allowing the set to be secured as originally intended for field carry.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA classic and highly collectible piece of U.S. military field gear, ideal for display, reenactment, or as part of a larger \u003ca href=\"chatgpt:\/\/generic-entity?number=1\"\u003eWorld War I\u003c\/a\u003e collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MidTennMilitaria ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48868104241404,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0793\/5541\/2732\/files\/202A7229-FA88-4E52-A83E-54CF5323170A.jpg?v=1773894860"},{"product_id":"original-world-war-i-era-u-s-mess-kit-complete-with-its-matching-fork-and-knife-usmc-and-ega-on-lid","title":"Original World War I-era U.S. mess kit, complete with its matching fork and knife. USMC and EGA on lid.","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal World War I-era U.S. mess kit, complete with its matching fork and knife, presented in well-used, field-worn condition. This classic oval aluminum set features the correct folding handle and two-piece construction typical of early 20th-century U.S. military issue.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe standout feature is the hand-etched “USMC” carved into the lid, accompanied by a simple scratched design above—likely done by the Marine who carried it. This kind of period personalization adds strong character and authenticity, offering a direct, tangible connection to a U.S. Marine Corps serviceman of the Great War era.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoth utensils are present, with the knife showing honest oxidation and the fork retaining a more stable finish. The mess tin itself displays expected age wear, including surface scratches, light staining, and patina consistent with field use.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA solid, untouched example of a WWI U.S. mess kit with desirable USMC attribution—perfect for collectors of early Marine Corps or Great War field gear.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MidTennMilitaria ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48868106141948,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0793\/5541\/2732\/files\/E3250921-9DD0-4406-89CC-CB16489FDDBF.jpg?v=1773895130"},{"product_id":"original-world-war-i-u-s-army-mess-kit-bottom","title":"Original World War I U.S. Army mess kit bottom","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal World War I U.S. Army mess kit bottom, constructed of lightweight aluminum and retaining its correct folding steel handle. This is the lower half of the classic two-piece field mess set issued to American troops during the Great War.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe handle is clearly stamped “U.S.” along with a faint maker\/date marking, consistent with period production. The piece shows honest field wear throughout, including surface scratches, oxidation to the steel handle, and areas of staining on the exterior—typical of prolonged use in service conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStructurally solid with no major damage, this mess kit bottom displays the kind of untouched patina collectors look for. A great standalone example or perfect for completing an incomplete WWI mess kit setup.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MidTennMilitaria ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48868108927228,"sku":null,"price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0793\/5541\/2732\/files\/2A020E19-A4C2-49A8-A7D5-DE42A68D9360.jpg?v=1773895514"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0793\/5541\/2732\/collections\/B8E69353-2B85-43C8-9AC5-36D12A54E66C.jpg?v=1773163901","url":"https:\/\/midtennmilitaria.com\/collections\/original-ww1-uniforms-and-field-gear.oembed","provider":"MidTennMilitaria ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}