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Post by oskar2ndchev on Feb 11, 2012 7:27:37 GMT -8
Since we're on the subject of mess kits, Hessen Antique is now offering reproduction 1915 Mess Kits. These come unpainted so you'll have to finish them yourself. Here's the link: www.hessenantique.com/M15_Mess_Kit_p/haige041.htmUnfortunately, the only problem I see is that if he's doing the 1915 model, it should be made of sheet steel that's enameled in a gray color. So now you've got to come up with a finishing/painting process that would give that enameled look. At least, that's what I can determine. Should have gone with the 1910 pattern if aluminum is being used. Of course, this is only my opinion.  |
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Post by hwolf on Feb 14, 2012 21:57:02 GMT -8
Just to clarify...the M1915 was made of Aluminum, steel, and enameled tin. There was HUGE contractor variation here. If it could hold food and stand up to the rigors of trench warfare it was made. It is 100% correct to have one of these repros in Aluminum so Hessen did good here. In fact most surviving M1915 examples I have seen are Aluminum.
Overall the repros look pretty good, minus the spork lip on the inside and the lack of measurement marks on the outside. If folks use these, we need to make sure they use the right feldgrau color. I'll play around with a cheap paint source for uniformity sake to some degree. However, black is the safest to avoid having to do a repaint. (early production M1915 were Black as were their Prewar M1910 counterpart).
Dan
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Post by oskar2ndchev on Feb 17, 2012 6:46:07 GMT -8
I thinking of powder coating to mimic the enameled look. There's a couple of places where I live that will do it and work off of RAL color standard. Haven't investigated costs but I suspect that we would need a large order to justify the price. Aluminum? I was under the impression that they'd completely switched away from using aluminum by 1915. Learn something new everyday. |
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Post by Marcus on Feb 17, 2012 11:46:38 GMT -8
I don't think the RAL approach will work. We had an issue with a former member who did that with all of this items and the problem was the the RAL system didn't exist at the time so the colors are not correct. Dan can elaborate more... I may not have stated that correctly.
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Post by oskar2ndchev on Feb 17, 2012 12:31:24 GMT -8
True, the RAL system didn't exist until the late 1920s- I was looking at it more of as a starting point than anything else. For the enameled mess kits, I've seen a variety of shades. I used to own one that was pretty much what today would be called "sea foam green". However, if painting is sufficient, then painting them black is the easiest way to go.  |
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Post by kingkaiser on Feb 17, 2012 18:31:28 GMT -8
I thinking of powder coating to mimic the enameled look. The insides of the mess kits would have to be done in order to mimic the enameled look. I believe that powder coating contains lead, so that wouldn't work well! Since the aluminum kits were painted only on the outsides, painting these kits black or feldgrau is probably the best way to go (preferably, with lead free paint!). |
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Post by oskar2ndchev on Feb 17, 2012 19:06:07 GMT -8
I'd leave the interior alone although there is food grade powder coating available. In the end, I'd opt for just painting them since that's a lot easier and a lot less expensive. |
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Post by kingkaiser on Feb 17, 2012 20:06:43 GMT -8
I didn't know food grade powder coating existed!
If these are going to be used to actually cook with, and heat food up, a good heat resistant paint will need to be applied. Black should be easy to find; feldgrau may not be available. Otherwise, if these are just going to be used as plates and bowls to eat out of, the quality of paint might not matter.
If black is used, which is preferred---matte or gloss? I've seen both, but which was more common?
For feldgrau, what about using one of the paints sold by 1944 Militaria? (I know that the general consensus is that it's not great paint, but for now it's pretty much all we have----unless you can custom mix your own).
Another option is to have the kits painted by Alexander & Sons----you can't go wrong there!
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Post by Weller on Feb 17, 2012 22:31:43 GMT -8
Let's wait to hear from Jacob on how much it would cost him to paint our mess kits. If we do it as a group thing the price might be decent. I'm just guessing, not quoting.
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Post by oskar2ndchev on Feb 18, 2012 7:08:33 GMT -8
That would be great if Jacob is willing to do it. :-)
As for black, one possibility is paint used for barbeques- it normally comes in flat and you and you can get either spray or paint-on versions. The paint is designed to be heat resistant and not give off chemicals.
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