✅ SOLVED U.S.V.A spoon

Bryanhashemi · Mar 17, 2013

Hey guys, found some relics today at a civil war camp site. This area was used before, during and after the civil war so any help on id and age would be great. This is a spoon that is about 5 inches long and has U.S.V.A on it. Thinking maybe United States veterans? Company was Reed & Barton. Any thoughts?

Mackaydon · Mar 17, 2013

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TheCannonballGuy · Mar 17, 2013

We know with certainty that that type of eating-utensil (heavy-bodied stainless steel and also silver/nickelplated brass) was not issued to soldiers.
http://www.history.army.mil/html/museums/messkits/Field_Mess_Gear(upd_Jul09).pdf

It seems to have been used in US military institution buildings which served food, such as Medical Department and Veterans Administration hospitals, and the Officers Mess at bases -- apparently marked to make it less likely to be "liberated" for at-home use. The lettering on yours is 20th-Century style, being "plain block" lettering instead of having serifs.