Boy Scout Mess Kit: When Was Yours Made?

🔍 Embark on a journey through time with our latest video as we delve into the fascinating world of Boy Scout mess kits from the 1920s to the 1960s! 🏕️ Join us as we unravel the secrets behind these vintage treasures and learn how to identify the age of these essential camping companions.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the distinctive features and nuances that define each era of Boy Scout mess kits. From the iconic designs of the roaring twenties to the practical innovations of the post-war era, you'll witness the evolution of these essential outdoor tools.

Whether you're a seasoned collector, a vintage enthusiast, or a Boy Scout history buff, this video has something for everyone. Our step-by-step guide will equip you with the knowledge to recognize the telltale signs that reveal the age and historical context of these incredible artifacts.

🔔 Don't forget to hit the notification bell to stay updated on our latest explorations into the past! Like, share, and subscribe to become part of our growing community of history enthusiasts. Let's keep the legacy of Boy Scout mess kits alive for generations to come!

What I like to use in the field:

More close-up pics of the mess kits to help you out!

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#boyscouts #VintageMessKits #ScoutingHistory #CampingAntiques #TimeTravelWithTools #HistoryUnveiled

[Tracy]

I’m 62 years old and still have friends who laugh when I pull out my old Boy Scout knife. It’s saved my rear end more times than a toilet seat though, so let them laugh.

[danieljones]

I've been trying to date my mess kit for several years. My mother gave it to me when I became a scout in the 70's. I am #10 in a family of 11 and none of my siblings have been able to help. The only logo is on the frypan handle. It has an aluminum cup where as the other scouts in my troop had a green plastic cup. I now think it is probably from the 60's thanks to your video. I'm glad sarge vinning referenced you in his video.

[jenniferbauman]

Great video. Some good info thanks. God bless. From Glenn CATT. In Massachusetts.

[timberdrifter]

I used that kit a lot when I was a teenager. It works but I don't find it fits my needs. I was fascinated by the video and watched the whole thing. It's interesting to see how it only slightly changed over the years.
For a long time now I mostly use an old aluminum bush pot and a sheet steel frying pan with a square socket handle and a stainless cup with folding handles. Sometimes also a aluminum pot that the bush pot fits in. Or a Swedish m40 with a us canteen cup inside it. Or some combination of those things.
Great video

[ericj.w.ruijssenaars]

Excellent content as ever! Great to see all the versions of the BSA cook kit made over the years. Don't know if something similar existed overhere in Europe, never seen kit like this. Outdoor greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱🏕️

[NikonRules]

Awesome! I was hoping you would create this exact video. I hit a lot of estate sales and have a wide variety of BSA mess kits so this will help me date those. Thank you!

[Blrtech]

Thanks for the Video and History Lesson. Always Thrilling To Learn New Things!

[shadowstalker]

Lovely video. Personally, I've been searching for my grail mess kit, one of the steel ones from the 40s. No luck yet, sadly.

[scenicdriveways]

Great video. I've owned those kits as a kid.

JT

[wildweasel]

Put a magnet to the handle of the cup and D ring of the lid to the pail. I thought the handle as aluminium and the D ring stainless but a management sticks to both, of what I believe to be an early post WW 2 kit.

[WillysCJ]

I only have later ones from the 1970s. I do have a copper bottom SS set that is the one I use in an emergency. I have two of the bigger aluminum sets but truthfully for an all out historic look it is pretty much the same as the 1880s on through for what an adult carried. I do have a pot with what I call an omega ring on the lid. It is my belief that after the 1960s cooking over a fire was down played and by and large cooking was heating up food on a stove. Maybe not everywhere but in many places.

[brianchappell]

I have a 1930's (maybe 20's) kit with pocket and knife and fork. My son has a late 50's early 60's kit.

What I do not like about the frying pan with the lip is cleaning cheese eggs or something of the like out of it in the field.

[bradleyluberto]

I have the dipped tin one. I was told it was from the 50s. I thought no way. Now I know I was right.

[chrischappell]

I have found a cook set that has no boy scout emblem and the case has a flap like the others you have, but also a split on it and an extra snap. Any idea how old it is? It’s made by the same company.

[wildweasel]

I have to agree, I joined the Scouts in the 1970s and the 'New' Program failed to engage me. What I was really desired was the 'Old' Program from the 1960's. By the 70's Scouting equipment, and program, was flimsy setting up new Scouts for failure.

[misolgit]

I have a kit that resembles a Boy Scout kit in fairly heavy guage stainless made by Tatonka

[danieljones]

Could that 60's kit possibly be late 50s? No marks, odd shaped D ring and aluminum cup. When did they switch to plastic cups?