Historical information

The varied manufacturer's marks and years on each utensil suggests that while a set of cutlery may have been standard issue during the Vietnam War era, this particular set may have been pieced together over the years from various issued sets (ranging from 1966 to 1971). The inscribed initials "SJ" may or may not therefore denote the name of the owner, rather possibly a previous owner.

Significance

This set is representative of a typical set issued to Vietnam War era soldiers and as such, has social significance as an example of standard equipment used by all service people during that period.

Physical description

Three piece fork, knife and spoon set held together by hinged piece of metal attached to back of spoon and wraps around the fork and knife. Spoon handle has two concave circular indentations into which the fork handle sits (having two convex circular bumps); the front of the fork handle in turn has two concave circular indentations into which the knife handle sits (held in place via two convex bumps and the hinge piece. Spoon is fashioned out of a single piece of metal and knife and fork appear to be constructed of a handle piece and a utensil piece.

Inscriptions & markings

Spoon has stamp of "C & A/O168/D[broad arrow]D"
Hinge has engraving "C&A/68/D[broad arrow]D"
Fork has stamp of "C&A/66/D[broad arrow]D"
Knife has stamp of "MGL/371/[broad arrow]" and on reverse of handle has the initials "SJ" scratched into surface.