The Worman & Ely patent mess set was popular with volunteers going into the field during the Civil War. This is one of the many new “gadgets” that inventors offered promising convenience and ease of use.

The Worman & Ely system used the usual three pieces of mess gear, a knife, fork and spoon, but added a slot in the handle of the spoon to enable the fork and knife to slide in and lock together. The handles of the fork and knife were also hollow to reduce weight.

Offered here is the fork and spoon, no knife. The spoon has the patent stamp: "Worman, Ely & Co / Philad’a / Patent Feb 4, 1862." Underside of spoon has “Wm Harris” scratched in. Too many of them to identify further. Pieces have a mixed gray/brown patina.

A great Civil War personal item.  [jet]

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