Dr_rambow Posted September 23, 2014 Share #1 Posted September 23, 2014 I recently found an interesting lot of mess items, I have been searching for some of them for quite some time now. It includes a sealed hard bread tin, USMC 1917 dated spoon and fork, a private purchase silverware set, and a suspicious looking "French" biscuit (not actually sure what it is). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_rambow Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted September 23, 2014 The star of the show, I think, is this mysterious yet seemingly official "Haversack Ration". It says Grocery component, so perhaps it was part of a larger ration? Perhaps it is the container prior to the adoption of the ubiquitous sectioned tin adopted shortly after this was packed. It seems like an awful lot of work to package each man's allotment of salt, pepper, sugar, and coffee this way. The package seems to be a simple cardboard box wrapped in wax-paper. Any thoughts on what this, officially, is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world war I nerd Posted September 23, 2014 Share #3 Posted September 23, 2014 I've seen these before, but don't know too much about them. Could it be something that was used/issued prior to the adoption of the 1910 Condiment Can that was used to carry coffee, salt and sugar? Here's another photo of a similar Haversack Ration. I don't recall the source of the photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted September 23, 2014 Share #4 Posted September 23, 2014 Nice addition to your WW1 collection. I think you scored quite an unusual and rare piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinb Posted September 23, 2014 Share #5 Posted September 23, 2014 I've seen these before, but don't know too much about them. Could it be something that was used/issued prior to the adoption of the 1910 Condiment Can that was used to carry coffee, salt and sugar? Here's another photo of a similar Haversack Ration. I don't recall the source of the photo. This picture is from my collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted September 23, 2014 Share #6 Posted September 23, 2014 I agree with Mark. Very nice and uncommon score on the rations. I know the tins with the bread in them used to be very hard to source but I have seen a couple dozen now in the last few years maybe some older collections are opening up. The biscuit looks like hard tack bread.I found a half eaten piece in a mess kit from a 88th division soldier. Great find and thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_rambow Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted September 23, 2014 Thanks folks! Good to see another example. I have no idea what a fair price would be, but I manned up and paid what I feel is a fair price for the pile. I know prices for rations can get crazy, though. Doyler, did your hardtack have the same shape as this one? I did a few quick searches and most hardtack I see seems to be a bit more flat and square. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted September 23, 2014 Share #8 Posted September 23, 2014 Thanks folks! Good to see another example. I have no idea what a fair price would be, but I manned up and paid what I feel is a fair price for the pile. I know prices for rations can get crazy, though. Doyler, did your hardtack have the same shape as this one? I did a few quick searches and most hardtack I see seems to be a bit more flat and square. TODDMine is similar in shape and rounded corners as I recall.Other than a couple of green spots I cleaned off it looks quite delicious. ...lol.If I can get to it I will add a picture to the pist if its ok. RD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyCanteen Posted September 23, 2014 Share #9 Posted September 23, 2014 Very nice finds! There isn't a whole lot of detailed information about the haversack rations handy. I believe it was adopted circa 1906. Basically, the haversack ration was an attempt at a true 'field' ration. At that time a 'field ration' was basically equitable to a full cold mess, and the haversack ration was roughly equitable to an MCI 'C' ration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyCanteen Posted September 23, 2014 Share #10 Posted September 23, 2014 This indicates it was funded in 1908. But I think that may have been the 1908 fiscal year, which ran from 1907 to 1908. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtpeter Posted September 23, 2014 Share #11 Posted September 23, 2014 Todd - Great find! I had wondered what that package looked like so it is nice to see an original. Anybody have an idea how the individual components were packaged? Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavdoc83 Posted September 24, 2014 Share #12 Posted September 24, 2014 Todd - Great find! I had wondered what that package looked like so it is nice to see an original. Anybody have an idea how the individual components were packaged? Peter It is a great find. I have only seen about four of these little condiment packs come out in the open. A long while back, there was one of the Haversack Ration condiment packs like that for sale somewhere that was open. As I recall, the individual components were packed in little paper envelopes. I suppose that they may have been waxed. I wonder how universal that they were. I've read personal accounts from the early 20th century up through the Punitive Expedition where coffee and condiments were issued in bulk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavdoc83 Posted September 24, 2014 Share #13 Posted September 24, 2014 So, in 1906, it sounds like the haversack ration consisted of hard bread issued in the 8 oz paper-wrapped cardboard boxes (2 ea per day), bacon issued in bulk to be placed in the meat can (wasn't there a bag issued with the haversack for the bacon ration at some point?), and coffee and condiments issued either in bulk or in the cute little boxes as seen above. The haversacks up until 1910 were issued with small cotton bags to hold the coffee and condiments. The bacon tin and condiment tin came out in 1910. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evets Posted November 24, 2014 Share #14 Posted November 24, 2014 The "Roto Salt Company" is still in business: http://rotosalt.com/about-us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_rambow Posted November 25, 2014 Author Share #15 Posted November 25, 2014 That is neat! I'm tempted to send them some pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Historyteacher Posted December 27, 2014 Share #16 Posted December 27, 2014 I found this article on this ration. It's in the center of the page, slightly to the right. The heading is "new haversack ration." It provides some details about the manufacturing process. Hope it is of interest! Dr_Rambow, congratulations on a nice find! http://fultonhistory.com/newspaper%202/Buffalo%20Ny%20Morning%20Express/Buffalo%20NY%20Morning%20Express%201909.pdf/Newspaper%20Buffalo%20NY%20Morning%20Express%201909%20-%200956.PDF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agate hunter Posted January 7, 2015 Share #17 Posted January 7, 2015 Great finds Todd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uplandmod Posted May 2, 2016 Share #18 Posted May 2, 2016 Here is the ration I found last weekend. I thought I'd add it Todd's thread. LF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavdoc83 Posted June 29, 2016 Share #19 Posted June 29, 2016 Found a picture of some Virginia National Guardsmen, pre-War, with our little Haversack Ration in prominent view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagjetta Posted June 29, 2016 Share #20 Posted June 29, 2016 Found a picture of some Virginia National Guardsmen, pre-War, with our little Haversack Ration in prominent view.dp-hamptons-battery-d-readies-for-war-during-t-033.jpg FANTASTIC image! thank you for posting. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_rambow Posted July 1, 2016 Author Share #21 Posted July 1, 2016 That is really a fantastic image. I love the other rations that are pictured! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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