1874 mess kit?

[phantomfixer]

This might be a dumb question but if a mess kit is dated 1906 on the handle along with US RIA

is it a third pattern 1874 kit 

[Keystone]

I believe the mess kit was changed in 1901? to make the pan part deeper and the cover flatter. I have this same pattern with dates from 1903 to 1909. RIA also made an experimental all aluminum mess kit in 1905. The pattern was changed again in 1910 to an aluminum body and plate but with a steel handle.

Tim

[phantomfixer]

https://history.army.mil/html/museums/messkits/Field_Mess_Gear.pdf

 

Thanks Tim

 

Here is a link that details the evolution of the 1874 mess kit...used until 1910..

with the revisions to the 1874 up to 1910. The revisions are all to the 1874 version, type 1, 2, and type 3 being the most common starting in 1880 up to 1909/1910..

 

so from this, I would say the 1906 dated meat can, and any meat can dated prior to 1910 is the 1874 model....type 3