Mess Tin

Late in the Peninsular War, the British soldier was first issued with a personal mess tin. It was a half-moon shape and was designed to be strapped to the rolled greatcoat on the trotter pack. It was three pieces, essentially a bowl, a bigger bowl and a lid. It was also issued with a lacquered cover to protect it in bad weather. This style of messtin was issued to the British soldier up to the early days of the Second World War.