Antique Post Civil War US Military Mess Kit/Hall Knives - Dated 1882

Description

For auction are two knives that were produced for use by the US military following the Civil War but prior to World War I. Both knives are stamped US on the blades and one carries a patent date of 1882. I believe they were produced by the Rock Island Armory. I don't know whether they were issued as part of a mess kit or whether they were used in mess halls but they certainly precede the mess gear used in World war I and later. They are 9" long. I believe them to be pretty rare.