US M1872 Experimental Meatcan
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $465.00

Original era manufacture. A trials model meatcan introduced in 1872 in an attempt to give the soldier a secure storage device for his meat ration while in the field. It was intended to do several tasks including a coffee cup. For obvious reasons the always practical soldier soon found a reason to lose this awkward piece of equipment and go back to a practical metal plate and cup. Due to its obvious limitations, this model was soon replaced with a more practical metal cup with a US embossed handle and the 1874 meatcan which was similar in design to the messkit issued to the US Armed Forces up through the Vietnam War. Original examples of this can are fairly scarce, I don't believe we've had more than three examples in over 40 years, it's always a pleasure to offer one for sale. In spite of its inherent design flaws, this meatcan marks the first attempt by the US Army to issue a modern (for the time) piece of messgear instead of just a simple cup and plate. This is as sound an example one can find available today. No damage to speak of, just storage wear only.