Vintage Boy Scout Camp Mess Kit: Stopple or Upton Mess Kit

[@LoloStarShine]

I'm delighted to discover the Stopple Kook Kit, cause it was invented by my uncle, my father's brother, Walter Stopple! He died when I was a child. I only learned about this recently, and now I'd LOVE to find one and buy it!! I'm not surprised here, cause we're a family of inventors. Walter's father, my grandpa John Julius invented a hay baler, and my dad was a printer/photographer who developed the early photo-offset printing process in the '50s, which eventually evolved into Xerox...This cook kit is so well designed- it's timeless! It should still be made, but from stainless steel...Thank you Mr. Dyer, for presenting this Unstoppable Discovery!

[@honorableoutfitters]

That's too cool! I wonder why it was not shared as part of regular family lore? Perhaps not to dwell on the possibility of what could have been? Still, I'd think it would be something to be proud of and shared as an accomplishment. Sounds like innovation runs in the genes though!

[@LoloStarShine]

Hi, thank you for your reply! Info about Uncle Walter's invention may well have been shared, but because I was a small child when both my father and uncle died, I simply do not remember that particular piece of family lore. I've found a lot more on Google about family endeavors, inventions and patents, most of it from the early 1900s, it's big fun to discover. Do let me know if you ever find a Stopple Kook-Kit that's for sale! Cheers!@@honorableoutfitters

[@Peterinnerbickler]

Cool family story. My father had a patent (long expired now) on an idea of his. Part of his idea was had been done previously but he got his patentee on another part. He never remembered that that part was actually my idea. Business was happy for him to pay for the tooling and make it for him, but no one was interested in buying the patent and using it to make their own.

[@entltyq]

​@@PeterinnerbicklerThat does sound cool. What was the invention?

[@kacythomas7436]

To bad nobody makes those kits today. The fact it fits in a pocket is great. 😊

[@DoctorCreepy]

Somebody could make some money reproducing this

[@HiddeneyeInc]

I have 3 1939-1947 steel bsa mess/cook kits and Love them 2 I've had since I was 10. I'm in my 50's now. I found another recently and was extremely happy to find it. I make my own custom canvas covers for all my Bsa Cook kits. I honestly can say I love the steel kits far better than the aluminum despite the weight. My two kits went with me to Iraq while I served there 2003-2006 and served me well their as did many old bsa camping recipes.

[@honorableoutfitters]

Very cool! Did you use snaps for your covers or do something different? I also prefer the steel ones compared to the aluminum ones.

[@HiddeneyeInc]

@@honorableoutfitters I use buttons and snaps. Depending what I have on hand I make my covers double lined. with either a soft upostery fabric or terry with the canvas outer this way the liner can be kept oiled as well as the kit to prevent rust. I added the utensal pocket to mine but make then hold military issue cutlery

[@haukepowers-l3i]

this was an awesome early mess kit !!! Amazing !!! as close to perfect from way back then !!! $5,000 back in the day was NICE fortune....I'm so glad the mess kit was sold to the public and Scouting at a GOOD fair price for those days....Bless our brilliant inventors !!!!!

[@honorableoutfitters]

It is a compact kit but the pot and cup are not as usable as I would like. They sold quite a few!

[@jasonjohnson6344]

I came here after watching Dave Canterbury review the Preston cook kit and mentioned you. Cool channel and I see other videos of yours I’ll watch too. I like this old stuff. James Bender has shown a lot of cool old gear too. Thanks for sharing your stuff with us.

[@yeahbutytho126]

Love it. Especially the folding grill

[@honorableoutfitters]

It really is a neat piece. The folding grill alone may worth reproducing some day

[@deanoverton3595]

Yes sir I just rewatched your video on the Stoppole mess kit and recently I just watched James Bender video on his home made version of the Stoppole mess kit and I think that you would find it very interesting Sir,and again I have learned a lot from you and I thank you for that Sir

[@WayPointSurvival]

That's a really cool mess kit and thanks for the shout out!

[@honorableoutfitters]

You are welcome brother, keep the great ideas coming and thank you for the support!

[@abcstardust]

Thank you for showing us the Stopple/Upton Kook Set! James Bender ( Way Point Survival ) describes how to make one, with easy to find materials.

[@honorableoutfitters]

No problem and he did a fantastic job!

[@ccasada8723]

This goes to show that the classic old time gear is not only cool, but very practical.

[@honorableoutfitters]

I love the simplistic and practical nature of it all. not too many frills, just utilitarian. Thanks for the comment!

[@gretchenschlager6007]

I love seeing this old equipment. Thanks for sharing. This is history that I never get to see but is so interesting. I especially like the latter part of the 1800s- 1970s.

[@honorableoutfitters]

Thank you for the support and I am glad you like them!

[@johnmeloche6569]

Great looking at the various cookies and the oven that is still used

[@merlinnygren-9prb726]

You have to rememember many "mess kits" - especially any used by the military - were actually not designed for cooking. Troops were fed by field kitchens behind the lines or in the field away from the garrison mess halls, or hot rations were brought up to the lines. IIRC, the M1910 U.S. Army "mess kit" shown in the video was actually designated the "meat pan." There was a utensil set that went with it, as well as a canteen and cup. The later versions of the U.S. Army kits were specifically designed to be hooked together for ease of serving to, and cleaning by, the individual soldier along with the utensils having holes in the handles - the early versions were actually modified at the depot level to do this and reissued. You could hook the 2 halves of the kit together and get served in the mess line, balance it, and carry it to wherever you were eating. Once you were done, you hooked your utensils on the handle of the cup, and the top plate to the handle of the bottom plate, and ran them through the cleaning line. IIRC, it was Scrape, Scrub, Rinse (maybe 2 rinses - certainly the last was in boiling water) then air dry. In the line, it might be that the company cooks and their assistants brought the kits and utensils back and forth with the meals - easier to clean them, and keep the troops in the line healthy. Yes, the kit and canteen cup could be used with heat tabs to warm rations up (C-rats, MRE's) or boil water for coffee, but that isn't really cooking.

[@honorableoutfitters]

Absolutely!

[@markbrandli]

I also love historical camping , and watch James Bender on waypoint survival ... I mostly do late 1700's to early 1800's camping /cooking but love all vintage type camping . I still have my original yucca pack and frame that I got in 1968 and was given a mess kit and canteens from the 1950's from my older cousins , I still use the pack once in a while. I really like the video thank you.

[@honorableoutfitters]

Nice brother. I also love @WayPointSurvival, perhaps I will convince him to be on a podcast with me some day! Have you also checked out Sarge Vining or Living on the Wild Side?

[@jenniferbauman4802]

That's cool. Mess kit. I would go with the boy scouts mess kit. Good video. God bless. From Glenn CATT in Massachusetts. I like the cooking great.

[@honorableoutfitters]

Me too! It's hard to beat having a skillet, pot, plate, and cup all in one with the ability to bake as well!

[@tolik5929]

Looks like a post apocolyps hillbilly contraption . Big time scrublord device . Actually pretty cool .

[@scenicdriveways6708]

Very cool mess kits. Thanks for sharing them. JT

[@honorableoutfitters]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@angieconley6501]

Very interesting. I have 4 complete Boy Scouts of America mess kits and cook-pots. One has a plastic cup and one has a tin cup. The other 2 don’t have cups. I also have 2 Boy Scouts canteens and a backpack. Would love to see more content geared towards the Boy Scouts.

[@honorableoutfitters]

Even if the videos are not Scout specific gear, I hope you find them useful and see how Scouts can benefit from them. Have a great week and thank you!

[@ssteinschreiber]

Great info. Really like this kit. I have had a few various ones. But right now been using piece mailed Stanley kit for backpacking need to pair it down more.

[@missourimongoose8858]

I live by a boy scout ranch and ive found quite a few pieces of old scout mess kits, unfortunately they are all damaged in some way but still fun to find

[@honorableoutfitters]

That's not surprising...Scouts always leave trails, lol.

[@missourimongoose8858]

@@honorableoutfitters we've had a few times when they walked on our land during hunting season which we used as a learning experience and educated them but what's really fun is taking them to see the Indian paintings that are still on the bluffs around my families land, video on my channel if you would like to see them, we were told it's a shrine to the mississippian underwater panther god who's the enemy of the thunderbird

[@b1laxson]

Surprisingly wonderful cook set. Im impressed that it would also pack up nice and squarish for better volume use in a pack.

[@honorableoutfitters]

The amount of space it takes up is a great aspect of the kit. Thanks for your support!

[@Peterinnerbickler]

Just a reminder. The WWI mess kit was made to be used with the aluminum canteen cup which would have served as a pot. I was a boy scout for like 10 years. I started off with the scout mess kit and found the food sticks and burns fast on the aluminum pan and the pot was too small. I never used the cup and brought a larger sized plastic glass like you would us at home because it held more fluid. After I acquired a USGI mess kit that has a stainless steel pan the sticking and burning were substantially reduced. I had also switched to USGI pistol belt, canteen, canteen cup and carrier. After that I entirely lost track of what happen to the boy scout mess kit. The USGI stuff took care of my cooking needs. Note that I only brought the USGI mess kit pan. I left the aluminum lid/tray part at home.

[@rickc4317]

Fascinating, thank you.

[@BrosephRussell]

Cool kit

[@yutubl]

Thanks. The grill rost and baking "dutch" oven are usefull extras! Did this inspired cylindric Stanley 1 person cooking sets?

[@WorldScoutingMuseum]

I wanted to let you know I really enjoyed this video and I have been doing some research on Stopple and Upton Mess kits, we are going to link your video to our webpage until we can get the production of our video for the Museum completed! Great work and please let us know if this is a problem!

[@honorableoutfitters]

That's fantastic! By all means, please feel free. I wrote an article with works cited that may be of help too: honorableoutfitters.com/artifacts/stopple-or-upton-mess-kit/

[@eddieburton4583]

Hey Mr dryer Eddie here just wanted to say hello and thank you for sharing your videos I appreciate you and I hope you have a wonderful day God bless you and your family keep up the awesome work looking forward to seeing more and could you tell me who the person you were talking about and the name of his Chanel so I can check it out God bless Eddie over and out

[@honorableoutfitters]

sargevining is the KZbin Channel brother. Cheers my friend!

[@mediocreman561]

If you could get one of your tent smith friends to recreate a Preston mess kit, I'd be interested in purchasing one.

[@honorableoutfitters]

I have asked my tinsmith friends brother. The problem is, the Preston mess kit had aluminum pans and cup and tin canteen. I have ambition to do it and an original to base it on just need to find a maker who can do small batch affordably. :/

[@mediocreman561]

@@honorableoutfitters I understand what you mean. I have been searching for that kit for a long time with no luck. Maybe your tinsmith friends wouldn't mind crowd funding? You make a survey on which mess kit (Upton, Stopple, Preston, or Theroz) your sub's would like and see if would be a beneficial venture? Just a thought.

[@Pygar2]

@@honorableoutfitters I have a 1916 Meat Can and Condiment tin that need retinning. Do any of them do that? I think it's a soak in some sort of acid/dip in molten tin, type of job.

[@wetcanoedogs]

i have two stopple kits.one in the box for show and another a bit beat for some light use. i thought they were just the thing for the trout fishermen as the shape of the fry pan is just right and the cups for coffee.carried in a jacket or gear bag for a midday fry up you could even make a little bannock with your fish.

[@honorableoutfitters]

If I weren't afraid of the lead solder leeching into my food I would use the cup and pot, but as it is I won't. Have you used yours?

[@wetcanoedogs]

i used it just as a try out at a drive in camp out but it's so awkward with the pot hanger on the side and the fry pan shape.the lady i bought it from on ebay told me her uncle used it on a trip to northern canada in 1948. i think the solder problem would be minimal on camping trips.@@honorableoutfitters

[@user-js4vh2lw6n]

Can't say that I would ever use that kit. Looks like the grill would get the rest of the kit very dirty once collapsed back together. Awesome piece of history though.

[@honorableoutfitters]

Yeah, it certainly would. The old timers learned, practiced, and preached cleaning with sod, or ash, or other "unsanitary" methods. It was a different time for sure.

[@chrisheadley2980]

That’s a decent kit I’m sure there is a market for that today.

[@honorableoutfitters]

Thank you, there may be.

[@mascotnet]

This is a great channel and I also enjoy your Civil War series, which helped me acclimate faster to reenacting. A few thoughts: do you think Axel Ulrich or another tinsmith might be willing to create some Stopple or Theroz replicas? Would you be willing to make some Hobo stoves? That could be a fun Scout project. Lastly, I've been kicking around the idea of presenting a living history program to our Council's summer camp. I have enough gear and uniforms to do a Civil War selection but I also am intrigued about pitching the idea of 1927 era camping since the camp will turn 100 in five years. Any thoughts? Have you seen Boonesboro Village at Daniel Boone Scout Reservation's living history selection?

[@honorableoutfitters]

Sorry, I thought I replied to this awhile ago! Axel is a Masonic brother of mine, has done several custom items for me, and was the first guy I thought about to help me reproduce them. He unfortunately said it was out of his wheelhouse due to the period construction techniques that were used. I have intentions of reproducing them eventually but I need to get a substantial amount of capital saved up first for the venture. In regards to your living history idea I always think starting things like that is a good thing. From what I have seen is if you have good leadership, a drive from within of a core group, and a culture is built around it then you will have great success. If any of those things are missing it will not be or it will fizzle out. I have been to several camps that have a "mountain man" or fur trapping theme but never a Civil War one. With every great venture it starts with an idea and purpose. I hope you have success with it, I can see it being a lot of fun for everybody!

[@eddieburton4583]

Hello Mr dryer Eddie here just wanted to say hello and I have a question I came across a WW1 mess kit but didn't have cancels to go with it the man wants $ 28.00 dollars I wanted to know if he was asking to much for it looks really good and nice it looks just like your WW1 mess kit can you let me know if it is good deal or not God bless you and your family keep up the awesome adventure and keep the awesome videos thank you for sharing your videos God bless Eddie over and out

[@honorableoutfitters]

They go for that and a bit less. $28 is pretty fair if you don't pay shipping. Ebay is where you can find them cheaper and often with utensils if you are patient. I hope this helps brother!

[@eddieburton4583]

@@honorableoutfitters it is at antique store is we're I seen it i am going to go by and pick it up lol think very highly of your opinion on some ideas and your opinion helped my decision on it thank you for sharing your videos keep up the awesome work looking forward to seeing more God bless you and your family 👍👍🙏👋👍👋🙏👌 I'm on the lookout for a a us mesquite bag little the one you show in your video thank you I appreciate you God bless Eddie over and out

[@NeilBates-k3t]

Nowadays a sheet metal worker could make one easily out of stainless steel as you say modify the detentions tig welded joints

[@pawoutdoors9290]

Very interesting system. How much things change the more they stay the same. Thx

[@honorableoutfitters]

That is so true! Happy Thanksgiving my friend!

[@DoctorCreepy]

I just used a lead test kit on mine and sadly the solder is lead based. You'd think there would be a modern one by now. I'm going to look for the schematics and get one made custom.

[@honorableoutfitters]

Sadly, this is normally the case of soldered items of this time period. Coffee pots and pails have always tested positive when I used the kits so now I just assume. Thank you for verifying this for all of us, I appreciate it and I know others who will read your comment will as well!

[@misolgit69]

I suspect a pair of stout leather gloves is a necessary accessory to the Upple kit

[@honorableoutfitters]

Lol, you're not wrong. Happy New Year friend!

[@wayneandrews1278]

Cool video ty

[@scipio7837]

Would be nice to see a modern company recreate this

[@honorableoutfitters]

Why this one over other vintage cook kits?

[@scipio7837]

@@honorableoutfitters I just like how it's put together. It has a slim profile. The big thing now is the Stanley cook sets, they're nice, but round. Flattened like this one just speaks to compact efficiency. It's major drawback may be cleaning.

[@hummeljay]

Wanted very much to like this video , but good gravy , took 100 years just to show us the kit. Found a 30 second video that showed the whole kit and where to buy modern versions.

[@thomas-i5o7h]

I have never seen or heard of the Stopple/Upton Mess Kit, but I have to say it's a very clever design. Is there a still active patent on this design ? If there isn't, you might be able to re create this system and perhaps put it on the open market.

[@honorableoutfitters]

There isn't from what I have found and I have considered it. I am surprised at the modern popularity of the design :)

[@elizabeththompson4424]

Interesting! older stuff had so much innovation, not like today's Stupid Age I've used the old Round BS Kit for many years, the cover rotted... but I've moved to Stainless & Titanium

[@honorableoutfitters]

I like the stainless Ozark Trail kit from Walmart. It's not too thin of gauge and pretty light weight! Thank you for the thoughts, I agree. :)

[@hoopoo3721]

It such a shame no one makes a modern version of this cook set.

[@honorableoutfitters]

It's in the plan but the cost is insane

[@jaybakata5566]

I recently acquired a boy scout mess kit (the cooking pot, lid, & skillet) 1950-1960. Wondering if it is safe to use? How would one find out? Are the materials it is made from safe along with the amount of time that has passed? I really want to use them, but I am unsure how safe it would be. Please advise.

[@honorableoutfitters]

Many people would say no due the carcinogenic factors of aluminum. You will need to determine the risk value for yourself. I use them and believe my minimal and intermittent use does little if any harm on myself.

[@TheR-Man]

Real cool

[@honorableoutfitters]

Thank you, do you have a preferred cook kit?

[@jritter1]

Really did like the video although I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me with focusing until I realized it was your camera trying to auto focus.

[@carnivorecaveman]

How and where can I get one of that?

[@honorableoutfitters]

At this time Ebay is your best bet. As of writing this there is one listed BUT be careful not to use it for cooking in the field due to lead solder being used to seal the cup bottom to the walls.

[@keithstegall1961]

I can guarantee you that that is soldered up with tin, and it might be tin plate.

[@honorableoutfitters]

So no lead solder? I'm no metal smith of any kind so I'll gladly defer.

[@rahtoren6385]

Yeah but modern boy scout mess plastic cup need old metal cup that fits inside kit.

[@wetcanoedogs]

your stopple kit is missing the cover for the wire parts that is a second fry pan.

[@honorableoutfitters]

Perhaps but based on my research the second pan only cane with the 2 man kit: honorableoutfitters.com/artifacts/stopple-or-upton-mess-kit/

[@wetcanoedogs]

thanks for the link to it's history.@@honorableoutfitters

[@oldschoolwithamoderntwist6074]

hello my friend..very nice video..I enjoyed watching..

[@honorableoutfitters]

Thanks for visiting brother!

[@mr.j4310]

I am going to disagree with you about the BSA mess kit. When I was in the Boy scouts I got stuck with a US Army canteen and mess kit, I wanted a BSA kit like every one else had. But I quickly saw that the thin aluminum got damaged quickly, cooking anything in the BSA kit would burn the kit and the food would stick. One guy melted the bottom out of the pot. I got way better service out of the Army mess kit and canteen cup and I still use it to this day. The mess kit having been made in 1945 and I am using it in 2024 that is not bad.

[@kurtbaier6122]

Liked shared subd Great video

[@honorableoutfitters]

Thank you my friend!

[@Kiwi_As]

My wife kicked me out of bed after the last dutch oven i gave her 😂

[@honorableoutfitters]

Well that wasn't very neighborly... lol

[@behindthespotlight7983]

9:10 meh. Bad idea.

[@honorableoutfitters]

The pot on the side?

[@MrJeep75]

Why to fiddly

[@honorableoutfitters]

I can agree with that :)

[@StevenSiew2]

The pot is too god damned narrow. Try cleaning it after your dinner and you will curse the day they designed it.

[@honorableoutfitters]

It is awfully narrow for sure.

[@amandamiller94]

U might want 2 leave a link 2 sergeant biden's utube channel bcuz if u look it up the only Biden u find is our president Biden

[@seansmart9816]

kzbin.info

[@honorableoutfitters]

Thank you, Sargevining

[@eddieburton4583]

Hey Mr dryer Eddie here just wanted to say hello and thank you for sharing your video keep up the awesome work looking forward to seeing more and could you tell me the person you were talking about I would like to check out his video's God bless you and your family keep up the awesome adventure and enjoy your videos thank you for sharing I learned a lot from you God bless Eddie over and out

[@georgelowles5077]

Why do Americans insist on pronouncing it SODER instead of SOLDER.

[@honorableoutfitters]

Just our way I guess...we are also pretty determined to use the standard measurement system instead of metric and call biscuits... biscuits and cookies... cookies. :) At least we share a pretty good taste in confusing language rules.

[@mwilliamshs]

First of your videos I've seen. 2:57 into a 14 minute video is a looong lead-up to your subject. Prior to this point you've told me that you've shown a lot of mess kits on your channel. That's not relevant or interesting. You've told me that you won't say one is better than the other because you believe in choosing the right tool for the job. Uh, okay. You've also told me which of the previous kits you've shown is your favorite and it's not the subject of this video. At this point, you've nearly convinced me to not bother watching the rest of the video. That can't possibly have been the reason for that intro.