Description

This is the basic pre-war and wartime era plain wood handled knife and fork as used by hundreds of thousands of troops and humble civilians during the Civil War era, provided by multiple states governments, brought from home, and bought at sutlers and mercantiles. The knives (generally the only marked of a set), are marked for Lamson and Goodnow, a Massachusetts firm during the war and one of the most prominent makers of the period, producing for the military and civilian markets alike. “LAMSON AND GOODNOW MFG. Co., PATENTED MARCH 6, 1860.” (see photo of original blade included) Some state issued pieces and many private purchase sets and “brought from home” utensils documented to soldier’s use bear this mark. The patent was actually rec’d for a handle attachment and bolster and stamped onto the knife blades. In our many years of collecting and dealing we have inventoried multiple common knives without the patented bolster which still bore the patent date, found in both wood and bone.  L&G apparently sold these less expensive pieces while still utilizing their standard production blades which were produced with the mark. We have also handled at least two knife and fork pairs which had the most common plain wood handle, bore the patent date, and also had a number “2” stamped in the wood handle. It is speculated that these were pieces which did not pass their quality control inspections, were fitted with the more crude and plain wood handle and marked as second quality. (a common practice in the period for makers of all kinds of items, which is the advent of the discounted marketing of what is now commonly known as “factory seconds”) Just as in our originals, the fork is plain without markings on the metal. The forks are also made in a more primitive fashion as one of our originals, with the center tyne a bit wider and flat, and the two outer tynes more pointed. (possibly what made them a “second”) Made of less expensive steel for the lower income market, we have marked the wood handles on these sets with the “2” as in the originals mentioned. We have left the somewhat crudely finished wood handles with a period type oil seal finish. In addition to the other sources, Soldier’s Aid Societies also distributed this type of ware to men in the field which is what we have represented here. Each set comes wrapped in our signature period correct brown paper tied shut with a simple identifying label. In addition, by request, the purchaser can have either a Northern or Southern Aid Society label added at no charge. PLEASE indicate if you want a Society label and specify No. or So. or none will be added. Sorry, no labels are available after items are shipped. Commonly, table settings were purchased as a knife and fork only, with spoons being a separate item, which is why one does not find many matching handled spoons, except in some higher end tableware, which had all pieces made completely of metal, including the handle. This set comes with our documented common pressed tinned spoon. This is one of the simple utility spoons of the era – the cheapest the common man or soldier could purchase – the same with the government, typically the quality they issued. (we alternate offerings with a riveted two piece spoon, also well documented, consistent with our commitment to more appropriate diversity in the Living History community. A simple practical utensil, the “fiddle” handle was the most common of the era. The bowl comes to a slightly rounded point rather than being more oval, a common period feature. As found on an original piece we handled, our pressed tin spoons are marked L&G Mfg. Co. for the same Lamson and Goodnow Civil War era maker. Here is a fine representation of documented, dated, and marked eating utensils, a set a cut above the rest which we are excited to offer our friends in the Living History community! Note: Sold in Sets Only. Limited quantity and limited to two sets per customer order.

THESE LABELS ARE PROPRIETARY AND PROTECTED. ANY UNAUTHORIZED USE WILL BE VIGOROUSLY PURSUED.