Circa 1910/1920 Rustic Chic Oak Wood “Model 1883 Military Mess Hall Stool”

Description

Note: The potted plant in the photos is not included.

This fabulous rustic chic stool began its humble life in … more Note: The potted plant in the photos is not included.

This fabulous rustic chic stool began its humble life in a military Mess Hall. In the middle of the stool is a fire-plug shaped block that served as a place for a soldier to put a uniform cap while eating. Soldiers sat on this type of stool around a standard Mess Hall table with the most common configuration being five stools per side for enlisted men and two chairs at the end of the table, one for NCOs (without arms) and one for the officers (with arms). The stools were made at the Jeffersonville Quartermaster Depot in Jeffersonville, Indiana from the early 1880s until 1950. This depot was charged with procurement and manufacture of eleven of the seventy-four classes of supplies. They supplied 27,000 items such as tents, mess furniture, laundry equipment and gasoline cans. Originally, the stools were finished in a natural oil rub but sometime after 1900, the stools started to appear in a painted coal flat black and later, depending on the military unit, stool seats appeared in the classic branch service colors: yellow for Cavalry, buff for Quartermaster, red for Artillery, blue for Infantry, etc. That this stool has no remnant of paint whatsoever, we believe it to be one of the original naturally finished stools, dating to somewhere between 1900 to as late as 1920. This rustic beauty measures 18¼” x 12” x 12” H/W/D; seat diameter 11”; seat thickness 2”; weight 6 lbs. 6 oz.; color is naturally unfinished wood which has mellowed into a melody of greige, tan and light brown hues. In excellent condition with age-appropriate character and wear; structurally sound. Since wood is an organic material, it shrinks across the grain with age so you will find there are a few feather-like age-appropriate tension cracks on the seat and a slight upward tilt to one side of the seat (see photos 8 & 9) which does not affect the integrity of the seat nor detract from its beauty or overall utility. I have added pads to the underside of each leg to prevent floor surfaces from being scratched which can be easily removed, if you desire. I have used it in its natural state but one might be tempted to stain or paint it at some point, or not! Note, the potted plant in the photos is not included. Why not mix old with new to create your own unique look with this fabulous historic stool!

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