08/15/2026
Hey everyone! I know I have been rather inactive lately. Just a lot going on. But, I wanted to address the proverbial Elephant in the room, the Messkit (Kochgeschirr). I did a vote a few months ago, got samples, and such. So I wanted to share with everyone my thoughts on the direction I wish to go, and the expected price when I finally tackle this Herculean Labor.
So to start, it is no secret I am building the M1912 Mess Tin ($165) for the Austro-Hungarian Reenactors as my own little way to give them a nod that I am willing to cooperate with them. But also to see the full extent of the labor needing to go into a messkit in general. Which leads me to the German Kochgeschirr.
I looked at the enamel, tin, and aluminum. Ironically, the Aluminum was the most popular (by a tiny margin) but prohibitively expensive. Does that mean I will make the Model 1910 Kochgeschirr right now? No. Not right now. If I were to do so, I would have to ask $195usd to make it worth the production cost.
The Enamel ones I feel would be a headache. They are heavy and would chip easy and some customers might want a replacement if something chipped. Plus the retail I calculated for around the $180usd.
Which leaves the Model 1915 Kochgeschirr. Yes, I know there is a reenactorism that says they were produced in small amounts in 1915. But as a collector and historian as well, I have handled many of the Model 1915 Messtins that has been dated between 1915-1917, and Chip's personal research also helps narrow some of it down as well to confirm it. Additionally to have a usable tin steel Kochgeschirr in the 1915 model format would run retail $165usd.
I feel like this is many reenactors that likes doing mid to late war events in America, Canada, and Europe that would benefit from these war time kits. Additionally original Aluminum M1910 Kochgeschirr are still able to be found.
So I had a few things that took more time and money than expected such as restocking, shovels, better M15 Steel Buckles, correct WW1 Bread Bags, etc. So now that is being tied up, I am turning my attention over the winter to the Model 1915 Kochgeschirr - Tin Steel edition.
I understand not everyone will agree with me on this direction, but I am doing this to help the community grow and to start retiring the original equipment. But also because I am passionate about the hobby as a whole!
