Identified G.I. Mix type cup.

These tinned iron cups in the shape of a coffee cup were probably popular items in mess chests and the like, but are also documented in the effects of private soldiers as part of issue mess gear from different states. Since mess gear was issued by the individual recruiting services until the federal government took over the task there is both a wide variety of gear and very little published information. Some cups of this pattern marked by G.I. Mix have turned up, however, along with other Mix marked pieces, and Bazelon notes both the states of Rhode Island and New Jersey making purchases from the company. The Troiani collection has a Mix marked cup carried by Edgar Yergason of the 22nd CT, which makes sense since the company was based in Yalesville, Ct.

This one is unmarked and slightly smaller than the Yergason cup, measuring 4 inches across the top, about 2 across the bottom and about 2 3/8 inches in height. The construction is the same: tinned iron with a simple looped handle secured with rivet at top and bottom.

This one still bears and identifying string tag in the hand of Don Ryberg of western New York. Don identified it as coming from the estate of Cassimere Churchill of the 9th New York Cavalry. Churchill enlisted at age 21 in Ellington, NY, on 10/1/61 and mustering into Co. E of the 9th NY Cavalry on 12/7/61. He was wounded at Alexandria, VA, at a date not stated and died of his wounds 9/3/62. I, of course, do not have any way of verifying this, but Don was not given to invention and I trust the identification.

Lots of the original tin remaining, showing gray. Some dull iron showing through here and there. Very minimal light brown surface rust spots, mostly inside.

Please see the last photo for part of Troiani's article on Civil War mess cups from a 1986 article in North South Trader showing the Yergaaon example.

Shipping $9.95. NY addresses add sales tax.