150 Year History of Army Mess Kits 

In my time in the A.C.C. there was nothing like the smell or sound of a number 1 burner firing up in morning, in the middle of a Norwegian winter, after a night out in the open at -39. You should have seen the smile on the lads faces when the food was served. :o)

I'LL BE DAMN HE'S BACK . I've just marked today on the calendrer as your coming back to us day . Happy trails

really interesting stuff

Very cool video. I've never seen the copper version. Super rare. Nice collection.

👍👍👍 Wow, now that's a nice blast from the past. Still relevant .. 'don't fix what ain't broke' .. except to modify somewhat 😏. A Mess Kit that does not appear to get as much air time that it, in my opinion, deserves .. the humble 'Dixies'. I first used them during my Military National Service in the SADF back in 1968 and still do. Herewith some 'useless information 🙄😏 .. Then, the standard 'food plate' in Military Bases Nation-wide was the 'Vark Pan' (Pig Pan) .. a flat stamped SS pan compartmentalized to accommodate the various food sorts 'slopped' therein when moving through the 'chow line' .. although, in the Paras, the limited time we actually were in Base, we were 'served' at tables of six and ate from proper crockery. Out in the field and in Advanced Bases, the Dixies and 'Fire Bucket' (SS Water Bottle Cup) served us well. Base food lines .. in later years during call-ups, plastic bags put over the dixies eliminated the need to try and wash the dixie in a drum of by then,cold greasy (and worse) water. Yep, the humble Dixies .. oft ignored or forgotten. A nice share .. thanks .. take care ..

Awesome discussion David!

Fantastic info mate.

Very interesting . Happy Trails see you next week yes.

Intressant, lärorik... Tack för detta!

I think the copper messkit you have is an updated version, I have the same but with no loops on the lidhandle. There are also some I have seen with belthoops om the sides that I think were used to make it easier to fasten to your backpack

This was awesome, thanks!

Fantastic information! 👍

The best mess kits of any Army.

Awesomeness

Dave I never knew that the Kit goes back so far and Me and the Great Legions of Your Fans will now be obsessed with finding the copper jobs for Ourselves for sure ! Well let Me Wish You and Yours a great Crimbo and I hope next year brings Success Health and Wealth in Abundance Your way , Have a good one Dave and Cheers !

Super interesting!!

Alot of work , thanks

You deserve a lot more subscribers...

Never knew the Swedish mess kit went back past the M40! Cracking bits of kit and quite sought after now. If I'm honest it pains me to see the older kits being thrown around so much but i guess they will survive? Hope you find an 1800's steel kit and an M40 to complete the set.

It's good to see you again don't stop m8 i enjoy the videos on your channel it's a pity the world VD is spoiling things have a good day Sir

Terrific ! Mayonaise was created for Naps. French Army to disguise the taste of bad beef 😁 Glad you are back !

Hello again brother! Sorry I’m late here! I see you’ve changed your channel name! Looks beautiful out there mate! .... enjoyable video as always! Love the history and info! Best wishes mate 👍🏽👍🏽👌🏽😎

very interesting my friend,they had to thought back then why would you change something that works

You can definetely add review stainless ones- there are 3 types.

Good video. I agree about the rings on the handle. The dimensions of the bayonets have changed since the first set was produced, so if they were intended to be used with a bayonet, the rings would have changed accordingly. Also on that score, the bayonet was, and still is, a very important weapon, to put it into those rings would have dulled the edge considerably. I have one criticism though. There was another set, made of iron, between the copper set, and the first aluminium set. There is a video on you tube showing it, if I can find it again I'll try to put a link here.

Nice collection! How did you come across these?

Army. mess kits are very trusted , i always go with it reather then new kits in market

✅

Saw this out of the blue.....where the hell have you been ? Napoleon established the first Mess sections and tents.....the American Army followed the example of traveling Circuses to feed their crews, thereby, the creation of a mess section ! Grizz 🐻

The other point about using a bayonet is the fact that using it in a fire would ruin the temper of the steel, softening it. Not good for holding an edge. Can’t see the military brass allowing that!