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Three-Tined Fork With Metal Handle -- Is It Period?

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  • #1

    Three-Tined Fork With Metal Handle -- Is It Period?

    I ran across the fork pictured below and was wondering if it was correct for our period. I've searched this forum and the web in general with no luck.

    The three tines of course are an early feature, but the 1860's forks I've seen generally have a bone or wooden handle. The handle -- disregarding the tines -- looks a lot like WWI-era mess gear. Can anyone shed any light on this?
    Attached Files
    Bill Reagan
    23rd Reg't
    Va. Vol. Infy.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Three-Tined Fork With Metal Handle -- Is It Period?

    Bill,

    I haven't seen this variation of fork documented to American Civil War (ACW) use, but did find a few other variations of knife and fork sets datable to the period.

    The attached image depicts a knife and two-tined fork, attributed to Union Col. John S. Crockerof the 93rd NY Vol. during his time as a prisoner in Richmond City's Libby Prison. These pieces reside in the collection of the Smithsonian Institute, and the picture was pulled from their website.

    Note: This is an older style of Silver-ware, and I believe this same style to have been used in the 18th c. as well as 19th c.

    Paul B.
    Attached Files
    Last edited by Stonewall_Greyfox; 12-13-2007, 08:45 AM.
    Paul B. Boulden Jr.


    RAH VA MIL '04
    (Loblolly Mess)
    [URL="http://23rdva.netfirms.com/welcome.htm"]23rd VA Vol. Regt.[/URL]
    [URL="http://www.virginiaregiment.org/The_Virginia_Regiment/Home.html"]Waggoner's Company of the Virginia Regiment [/URL]

    [URL="http://www.military-historians.org/"]Company of Military Historians[/URL]
    [URL="http://www.moc.org/site/PageServer"]Museum of the Confederacy[/URL]
    [URL="http://www.historicsandusky.org/index.html"]Historic Sandusky [/URL]

    Inscription Capt. Archibold Willet headstone:

    "A span is all that we can boast, An inch or two of time, Man is but vanity and dust, In all his flower and prime."

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Three-Tined Fork With Metal Handle -- Is It Period?

      Greetings,
      I'm somewhat unfamiliar with this particular pattern of fork but do know of an all metal civilian four tine fork that is identified with solid documentation as being picked up on the battlefield of Richmond, Kentucky by a participant in the original battle while looking for wounded.

      Perhaps a local university with an archeology program may have period catalogs from the nineteenth century or other material that could help you identify the particular piece you have.

      Darrek Orwig
      • Likes 1

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Three-Tined Fork With Metal Handle -- Is It Period?

        Darrek,

        Looks to be the standard Indian War period Model 1874 issue fork.

        Steve LaBarre
        Cornfed Comrades
        WIG

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Three-Tined Fork With Metal Handle -- Is It Period?

          IMHO, carrying a fork is a bit pointless anyway. Why? There is nothing you can do with a fork that you can't do with the other two utensils you should carry: A nice fat spoon and a pocket-knife.

          If you lose the spoon, you can eat with your fingers. If you lose the knife, you are screwed, but can borrow one. If you lose a fork, would you notice?

          Fork also tend to poke holes in things, add weight, hurt when you roll over on them in the middle of the night.

          But, I am a savage, so you may have a different view.

          Rob Willis

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Three-Tined Fork With Metal Handle -- Is It Period?

            What exactly does that have to do with the original question?

            Respectfully,
            [B]Byron Faidley[/B]

            [I]Loblolly Mess,
            23rd Virginia,
            and the Loyal State Rifles
            3NITL
            [/I]

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Three-Tined Fork With Metal Handle -- Is It Period?

              Originally posted by BrownBlanketMess View Post
              Looks to be the standard Indian War period Model 1874 issue fork.
              You are correct -- I found a photo on the web using your information! I bought the fork because it was cheap and I figured it might be military. Even if it won't do for our period it will fit in nicely with my other collecting interests! Thanks to all for the information.
              Bill Reagan
              23rd Reg't
              Va. Vol. Infy.

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Three-Tined Fork With Metal Handle -- Is It Period?

                What exactly does that have to do with the original question?

                Respectfully,
                __________________
                Byron Faidley
                Because this is a forum dedicated to the recreation of the American Civil War soldier by reenactors.

                The original post suggested to me that the fellow wanted to add the fork to his field impression. I posted in response.

                Sorry to have crossed your wires.

                Rob Willis
                Columbia Rifles

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Three-Tined Fork With Metal Handle -- Is It Period?

                  Originally posted by Goat View Post
                  Because this is a forum dedicated to the recreation of the American Civil War soldier by reenactors.

                  The original post suggested to me that the fellow wanted to add the fork to his field impression. I posted in response.

                  Sorry to have crossed your wires.

                  Rob Willis
                  Columbia Rifles
                  So the thousands of forks dug in ACW era camps means that we just happen to be finding the exceptions....?:confused_

                  I believe Bill's question was as to whether the fork was ACW era or not...

                  Since we have apparantly confirmed that it is not ACW era, I'm afraid you'll have to find another period fork Bill...:wink_smil

                  When being very active in backpacking a few years ago I remember the same philosophy of "cutting weight" and being minimalistic. Personally I still carried a small lexan fork, spoon in addition to my pocket knife...no I never cut my toothbrush in half...

                  Paul B.
                  Paul B. Boulden Jr.


                  RAH VA MIL '04
                  (Loblolly Mess)
                  [URL="http://23rdva.netfirms.com/welcome.htm"]23rd VA Vol. Regt.[/URL]
                  [URL="http://www.virginiaregiment.org/The_Virginia_Regiment/Home.html"]Waggoner's Company of the Virginia Regiment [/URL]

                  [URL="http://www.military-historians.org/"]Company of Military Historians[/URL]
                  [URL="http://www.moc.org/site/PageServer"]Museum of the Confederacy[/URL]
                  [URL="http://www.historicsandusky.org/index.html"]Historic Sandusky [/URL]

                  Inscription Capt. Archibold Willet headstone:

                  "A span is all that we can boast, An inch or two of time, Man is but vanity and dust, In all his flower and prime."

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Three-Tined Fork With Metal Handle -- Is It Period?

                    In the interest of full disclosure, I do incorporate a fork into my impression. I find it handy for picking up hot food, and the weight is negligible.
                    Bill Reagan
                    23rd Reg't
                    Va. Vol. Infy.

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Three-Tined Fork With Metal Handle -- Is It Period?

                      Hi, y'all.
                      I have the Warman's collectibles II book at home, and there's a couple of nice examples of 2- and 3-tined forks in there, some dug and some non-dug, are these people wrong then by saying they're ACW-artifacts?
                      Regards, Philippe T Cuvelier.
                      It's hard to give a good impression...

                      Comment

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