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EXTREMELY RARE CIVIL WAR "MILLIGAN'S PATENT MESS

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
EXTREMELY RARE CIVIL WAR  MILLIGAN'S PATENT MESS
KETTLE" FOR OFFICERS. John G. Milligan advertised his ingenious field mess kit in October 1862 in New York Times. It must have been popular as excavated pieces are found in Civil War camp sites throughout 1863-1864. Reading thousands of soldiers letters over the years, food and food preparation are common topics and complaints. Priced at $12 and advertised as a mess for four officers, this no doubt was a good value and popular in the field. There were other manufacturers of similar items, but Milligan's unique design fit everything into a compact container Just 12x11.5x10", 15 pounds & over 40 parts. The kit contains everything four officers would need including cast iron grill, frying pan, 4 plates, 4 cups, 4 sets of knives, spoons, & forks, 2 prep knives, 2 serving spoons, coffee pot, stew pot, coffee tin, sugar tin, salt, pepper, liquor container, ration box, and even a wash basin and more. We are only aware of one other Milligan mess kit sold (incomplete from Jim Frasca collection). UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: copy of patent, copy of ad from New York Times 1862, original ad from January 1863 Harper's Weekly. CONDITION: very good overall, kettle lid has dents but retains most of its original japanned black finish. PROVENANCE: Lifelong Collection of Michael & Irene Hilber. (02-19977/JS). $4,000-6,000.