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Guide to British-made Aluminum Mess Tins (1936-1940)
Although rectangular aluminum mess tins may strike the collector as a late development of Second World War, they were actually the original design that was meant to accompany the Pattern 1937 webbing set. The reference site 'Karkee Web' goes into great detail on this subject and describes how these early aluminum tins were replaced in 1940 by a tinned steel model so that aluminum manufacturers could focus on the needs of the aircraft industry. You can find this history by clicking on the following link...
http://www.karkeeweb.com/patterns/1937/1937_associated_equipment_other.html
Since early British aluminum mess tins were used by most of the Empire early in the war, the following guide of known makers may be of some benefit. It was compiled with great difficulty and is by no means complete.
Maker Mark: THE LONDON ALUMINIUM CO. LTD.
Company Name: The London Aluminium Company, Limited
Location: Witton, Birmingham
Dates Observed: 1936
Handle Attachment: Riveted
Banded Handle?: No
Notes: The mess tin above may be the earliest known example of a rectangular, nested mess tin. It was made to accompany an order from the Union of South Africa for Mills Equipment Company's latest set of webbing in the mid 1930's.
Maker Mark: S.&H.LTD.
Company Name: Sellman & Hill, Limited - Crescent Works
Location: Wolverhampton
Dates Observed: 1938-1940
Handle Attachment: Welded (Later Riveted)
Banded Handle?: No
Notes: This firm employed welding to attach the hinge plates early on in production, which was an extremely difficult process. The advertisement is from April 1933
Maker Mark: N.C.J.LTD.
Company Name: N.C. Joseph, Limited
Location: Stratford on Avon
Dates Observed: 1938-1939
Handle Attachment: Riveted
Banded Handle?: No
Notes: The additional pictures show an aerial view of the N.C.J. Works in 1947 as well as the neglected gate of the complex in 2006.
Maker Mark: C&B LTD.
Company Name: Corfield & Buckle, Limited - Trafalgar Works
Location: London
Dates Observed: 1939
Handle Attachment: Riveted
Banded Handle?: No
Notes: The advertisement is from December 1939.
Maker Mark: E&CO.
Company Name: Everitt & Company, Limited
Location: Liverpool
Dates Observed: 1939
Handle Attachment: Welded
Banded Handle?: No
Notes: This firm also employed welding to attach the hinge plates. The advertisement is from 1940.
Maker Mark: L.A CO
Company Name: The London Aluminium Company, Limited
Location: Witton, Birmingham
Dates Observed: 1939
Handle Attachment: Riveted
Banded Handle?: Yes
Notes: Mess tin examples from this firm feature an additional band to keep the handle from separating and falling out of the hinge plate. The advertisement is from 1940.
Maker Mark: H.&M. LTD PYRAMID BRAND
Company Name: Hague & McKenzie, Limited - Pyramid Works
Location: Birmingham
Dates Observed: 1939
Handle Attachment: Riveted
Banded Handle?: No
Notes: The advertisement is from April 1933.
Maker Mark: BULPITT & SONS LTD.
Company Name: Bulpitt & Sons, Limited - Swansea Works
Location: Birmingham
Dates Observed: 1939
Handle Attachment: Welded
Banded Handle?: Yes
Notes: The additional pictures show Bulpitt & Sons Ltd. Camden Street, Birmingham c.1933 as well as two advertisements (1938 and 1945).
Maker Mark: C-S. LTD
Company Name: Clydesdale Stamping Company, Limited?
Location: Dudley?
Dates Observed: 1939
Handle Attachment: Riveted
Banded Handle?: No
Notes: The author is not certain of the identity of this maker, but Clydesdale was the closest option.
Maker Mark: W (B) LTD.
Company Name: Williams (Birmingham), Limited
Location: Birmingham
Dates Observed: 1939
Handle Attachment: Riveted
Banded Handle?: Yes
Notes: Please forgive the poor quality picture on this maker. The additional article was written in September 1939 and describes how The London Aluminium Company was acquired by Williams (Birmingham). It is interesting to note that this acquisition is probably the reason Williams (Birmingham) mess tins include a banded handle.
Maker Mark: T.L & CO
Company Name: Taylor, Law & Company, Limited - Tala Works
Location: Birmingham
Dates Observed: 1939-1940
Handle Attachment: Riveted
Banded Handle?: No
Notes: The advertisement is from 1938.
