Grant S. Posted June 19, 2014 Share #1 Posted June 19, 2014 This interesting item was discovered hiding in the back of the vehicle maintenance barn of the museum. It is very similar to one pictured on p. 174 of GI Collector's Guide vol.1. The main difference is that all the tableware and utensils are made of aluminum vice enamel ware. There is no manufacturer's label, unfortunately. So I am wondering if this is later war issue, or perhaps Korea or later vintage. Does anyone have any expertise in this field? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kies99 Posted June 19, 2014 Share #2 Posted June 19, 2014 I'm far from an expert on these, but all of the aluminum ones I've seen have been post WWII. The enamelware (white with a blue rim) were all WWII dated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGrayGhost Posted June 19, 2014 Share #3 Posted June 19, 2014 I will second that, not sure when the changeover happened, but almost positive it is post war. However, based on the color of the case, I would bet that this is an early example of the aluminum ware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted June 19, 2014 Share #4 Posted June 19, 2014 Both versions are listed in the WW2 QM Catalog... Can post a scan later this weekend WW2 sets did have a dataplate on the top of the lid though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quartermaster Posted June 19, 2014 Share #5 Posted June 19, 2014 Have you unwrapped any of the dishes and looked on the back/bottom? You should be able to see the item's maker and a date. Doesn't date the container or when it was assembled but should be close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woody Posted June 19, 2014 Share #6 Posted June 19, 2014 Definitely later, as a major difference is in the style of clasps which appear to have a padlock option to lock one side only instead of keys. Below is my 1944 dated M1941 box which when acquired had all ali ware. Note its last issue date. All contents were transferred into a 1942 dated box which has a brass oval disk on the lid. My 1944 case has a ali oval plate, didn't have any keys but I was able to modify some 1960s keys to operate the locks. The earlier M1937 set had ali ware and stainless utensils, whereas the M1941 had enamelware. Not visible in the above photos are the handles which I suspect are metal shaped rod, as used on post-war ammo boxes. The M1937 and M1941 had leather handles at each side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGrayGhost Posted June 19, 2014 Share #7 Posted June 19, 2014 Didn't see the loop, good catch and great info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant S. Posted June 20, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted June 20, 2014 Thanks to everyone for the information! The serving tray easily slips out of its paper and I don't remember seeing any date or manufacturer information on it, but I will look again. The handles are definitely metal. It looks to me like the box has been repainted, so perhaps someone painted over the original stencil that showed it was post-war - perhaps on purpose, but who knows? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mruiz Posted May 9, 2017 Share #9 Posted May 9, 2017 I know this an old tread, but to clear up some. I found on e of these, this week end and the date on bottom of the plates and cup aluminum, state 1940. The date of the contract on the out side of the box is Oct 28 1940. Also on the coffee pots. It is missing the 1 each large plate. The handles to carrie the box are leather. Mitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted May 9, 2017 Share #10 Posted May 9, 2017 Here are some pictures of my set... Plate on box has a 1944 date, handles are leather... All is enamelware dated 1944, except for one alu dish which is dated 1940... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant S. Posted May 10, 2017 Author Share #11 Posted May 10, 2017 Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mruiz Posted May 10, 2017 Share #12 Posted May 10, 2017 Nice MR Willaert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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