2018.002.037 [Spork]

This is a multipurpose eating utensil that would have been included as part of a German M1910 mess tin kit. It features a metal spoon with a large round and a short handle attached to a small metal fork. The utensils are attached together at the base of their respective handles by a bolt that allows them to pivot out from one another for specified use. Both the spoon and the fork have suffered surface corrosion as well as contact corrosion. The structural integrity of the piece is, however, very sound. These utensils would have been an invaluable part of the average equipment package for German soldiers in the First World War, as spoons and forks could be applied to a number of unconventional scenarios such as cooking, shaving, eating, etc. This content can be used with the following resources: SS.4.25: Technological Change This content can be used to educate students on how military soldier kits evolved during the First World War and the impact that evolution had on soldiers from Iowa and the United States. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item for any copyright restrictions.