Description

Popular patented set carried by many soldiers during the war. As documented by personal accounts, occasionally veteran pards even went together and purchased this item to share, with one carrying each side in order to lessen weight on campaign. Standard folding knife in one side and folding fork and spoon in the other. They attach together via tangs and slots with the knife blade forming a lock to hold them together. (the knife blade is opened in order to release the tension and slide them apart, then folded last to close the piece) The fork is marked “ARMY KNIFE” arched over “UNION” on the stem and the knife, at the bolster, is marked “UNION KNIFE Co.” as per originals we have examined. Rosewood pinned handles. We have also fine tuned the piece a bit improving the finishing on the wood, etc. Comes in a tied and labeled box wrapped in period newsprint. (artwork/label from a period publication and interior label taken from period advertisements) We first produced this item stamped with the Union Army Knife markings some 20 years ago when we produced the sutlery exclusively for the Army of the Pacific in the field. (consistent with our constant commitment to research and producing a more diverse representation of the material culture of the period, we have also produce this item in the past with the marks of other documented makers utilizing the patent – originals are also found with no markings) We have seen statements by vendors proclaiming themselves the “first to produce” and “best”, etc with many products including our marked version of this item. The fact is that for over a decade, beginning some 25 years ago, we introduced many new items in the authentic marketplace, made in small quantities and available exclusively only to the Army of the Pacific in the field, which were subsequently copied/produced by others later making bold claims. We do not make this statement for any other reason than to clearly identify that our products now available also online, are not attempts to ride on the backs of any others – but the original results of our own efforts and research, regardless of date of inception. IMORTANT NOTE on our knife and utensil stamping practice and policy: We have dealt in CW personal items for over 45 years and handled hundreds of examples of many of the items we produce. Most period items of this type are crudely stamped when they are marked, with light unreadable markings, partial stamps, etc. The occasional well stamped original knife, utensil, etc., is a prized item among collectors but unfortunately has become considered the norm by many living historians and vendors when utilized for reproduction, having them meticulously evenly stamped and then using that as a selling point. We have chosen to mark our reproductions as the majority of originals are found, using a crude hand stamping process which sometimes leaves partials, light stamps, unreadable parts of marks, double stamps, and sometimes a perfectly complete clear stamp, etc. They are sold in the package you get what you get – the same that they got in the day – a functional item for a great price – they did not care about a “perfect maker mark”. Please do not order our marked utensils if you require a perfect, full, complete with every letter legible and readable mark on them, etc. – it may happen – but that would be by definition rare in an original and not representative of the norm in the day. We will guarantee that each one will be marked in the appropriate place with the period correct stamp per original examples)