CS Stamped Mess Plate Origin

[bsbaker]

My research has turned up nothing so far, so I'll try this forum. Short but sweet. Where were the CS stamped mess plates produced at?

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Pakistan or India would be my guess. With all the museums I've visited and all the mess gear I've researched, I've yet to turn up any original C.S. stamped tin plates. To my knowledge they are a modern sutler supplied reenactorism, loosely based on another original item that does have known provenance, the U.S. stamped tin plates issued from the Mexican War to just prior to the Civil War. Several of the U.S. stamped plates have even been found by relic hunters in CW camps, but nobody to my knowledge has turned up a C.S. one. Some sutlers today know that if you put C.S. on something, there's always going to be somebody to buy it. Perhaps Mr. Mayo or our resident tinsmiths can post something more substantial than one man's educated assumptions.

[GrumpyDave]

Some guy(or Gal):mrgreen: somewhere thought to himself(or, herself); I bet I could sell a bunch of tin plates if I got them stamped "CS" or "US." So, he called some guy in India and, the plates were born.:mrgreen: :mrgreen:

[toptimlrd]

I also have yet to see one. This goes back to the old buyer beware, there is a market for almost anything and someone who will sell it to you. This is why I always tell people to research their purchases first so that they know what they are buying. Far too much money is spent on incorrect, useless, or simply unnecesssary items. If unable to document the specific item then PEC (plain everyday common) is usually the best bet. You can never be wrong with a properly made plain tin plate.

[GaWildcat]

C'mon guys, why keep secrets.. we all know that the stamped CS plates were used by the elite corps of Confederate Bagpipers, with officers and senior NCO's being issued the coveted Stainless Steel stamped CS plate.

(okay, tongue is now out of cheek);) 8) ;)

[tompritchett]

we all know that the stamped CS plates were used by the elite corps of Confederate Bagpipers,

Were they the ones that had the Jamaican Military Adviser visitor from Nov. 63 through Sept. 63? (tongue even more firmly in cheek)

Seriously, Brandon be wary of some of the claims of "authenticity" for some of the more mundane items sold by the more mainstream vendors? This is where a good, experienced mentor/NCO from a unit can help you in avoiding some of the more obvious anachronisms that are being sold.

[GaWildcat]

I apologize somewhat for my poking fun, but sometimes, its too hard to resist.

Our unit recommends that new members consult an experianced member before any purchase.. on line or at an event, to avoid buying what are inaccurate "Fantasy" pieces. So far the only tin item I have seen stamped with CS is a tin drum canteen (pg 210, EOG:CS). Jarnigan reproduces this canteen, and its a great repro.. I have one.

Good plates can be had by Village Tinsmith, Carter and Jasper, and Jarnigan.

Keep in mind, that, as some folks have said before, some sutlers figure they can sell a ton of crap if they mark it "CS" or "CSA"

FARB=Fast And Researchless Buying

[bsbaker]

All hear ye, hear ye:

You don't have to apologize for poking fun....it let's me know you're not all prudes:-D Seriously though, with a plate as anything I'm hesitant.....no.....reluctant to purchase/approve of (for myself) anything marked "CS" OR "CSA". IMHO the chances of me having anything issued by the Confederate Government is highly unlikely, save some inflated currency every two years or so. As a generalization would I be wrong?

[GaWildcat]

. IMHO the chances of me having anything issued by the Confederate Government is highly unlikely, save some inflated currency every two years or so. As a generalization would I be wrong?


Take into account, that arms and accoutrements, would have been issues, and that there was a Depot system established as far as uniforms go. Uniforms were made at Richmond, Columbus, Mobile, Atlanta and others. Horse equipments were made by the same depots. Yes, some of your uniform items could have come from home (the Commutation system)

Your best bet would be to find out if your unit has references to clothing and equipment issues. Look to the first hand accounts (diaries, letters, and memoirs). In a book of letters from M. Hill Fitzpatrick to his wife Amanda, he makes note both of receiving clothes from home, and drawing them from the Government.

[FloridaConfederate]

IMHO the chances of me having anything issued by the Confederate Government is highly unlikely, save some inflated currency every two years or so. As a generalization would I be wrong?


The CS procured, manufactured and distributed all sorts of martial goods.

Known Jacket and trouser production numbers in the hundreds of thousands.

There is higher probability of...rather than not, in my opinion.

CJ Rideout
Tampa, Florida

[Evil Dog]

Personally I sorta prefer those "other" plates.... no, they are parchment not paper. Ow... I think I bit my tongue on that one.

[Silas]

The CS procured, manufactured and distributed all sorts of martial goods.

There is higher probability of...rather than not, in my opinion.

CJ Rideout
Tampa, Florida

Higher probability of what?

[GaWildcat]

Silas,

What Mr Rideout is saying is, there is a greater probability of being issued equipment by the CS Government than not.. perhaps not plates as is the main gist of this thread, but in opposition to what Mr. Baker said about not counting on having much issued by same said Secessionist Government.

[FloridaConfederate]

Silas,

there is a greater probability of being issued equipment by the CS Government than not..

This.

CJ Rideout
Tampa, Florida

[bsbaker]

I stand corrected.

[GaWildcat]

Thats why this forum is here.. sharing of knowledge... we all learn, we all teach. Its a great thing