During the Civil War the commercial market was filled with devices and gadgets promoted as making life easier for the soldier in camp and field. Combination mess utensils were a category of their own, mostly sold with the pitch that they would be easier to find and harder to lose than army-issue separate utensils in the contents of a haversack at the end of a march.

This is a similar piece, minus the fork, manufactured during the Indian War era of the 1870s-1880s. The Ulster Knife Company began in 1876 in New York.

Constructed like any other “pocket knife” this features a fold-out single edged knife blade and a fold-out spoon bowl (no fork; never had one). Knife blade is marked “Ulster Knife Co., N.Y.” Wood grips attached to both sides and retains nice, rich tone. Metal parts show dark aging and light surface oxidation.

These display nicely with canteens, cups and other mess gear that was essential to soldiers of any era.  [jet] [ph:L]

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