Original Red Lancer Officer’s Complete Mess Kit. [Ca. 1812]. With a silver cup with formed leather insert lined with satin, folding cutlery (knife, fork and spoon - many of which are stamped), carved bone toothpick, silver-finished bottle opener, a bone tube that unscrews in the center, and an additional small silver spoon. Some minor wear. This beautiful field mess kit, housed in the original circular gold-tooled leather box, is 5 ½” high and 3 inches diameter with a hinged top (some mild wear, top is loose, but present). A fine example of this rare kit. Carried by senior Officers, such accouterments were a welcome respite from the standard issue field kits (see p. 35 of Pawley’s The Red Lancers where a similar kit is featured). From the collection of Bertrand Malvaux.