Well, maybe not a dilemma in the real sense of the word but a decision that needs some advice.
There was an ad in our local trader advertising some WWII mess trays for sale. So I called it and the guy is close by. Has trays from 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45. $10 each. I thought they would make for some quirky hor d'ourves trays.
Ok, so I don't want to shell out 50 bucks for all 5 years, so can ya'll help me narrow this down to 2?
Brooke 
Russ Cloer, WWII Captain, 7th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division.
OOH!!!
I don't know if I like what's wafting up to my nostrils, Kiddo. I was in the Air Corps, and you all know we had the best of the food chain. As far as I know, the military didn't change their mess trays each year as did the auto companies. After all, a Food tray is a food tray. But, Well; Let's hear it from others. How bout it guys,What do you say. Do we want the big bad WOLF messing with our little red riding hood
I would take 6, and give him 15 bucks for the lot.
Hugs,
chuck
Here's a link for a mess tray from 1944 Brooke. It has a buy it now price of $14.99!
http://cgi.ebay.com/WW2-WWII-US-Mess-Tray-...6QQcmdZViewItem
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Here's trays going for $17.99 each Brooke. 1944-1945
http://www.rubylane.com/shops/charmingandc...cheap/item/4516
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Other comparable items...
http://www.alohasurplus.com/aloha_008.htm
Looks like the price isn't very far off on all these items including the one you were thinking about. 
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
I can't believe they date stamped these things. You can find old spoons and forks with the "US" stamped in them but I doubt anything else.
Hmp.
Enginears...Engeneres....Engineres----- I are one and I can't spell it.
Hey, I too learned something tonight. Guess we all did! 
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
My tray was just a mess kit and a spoon, so what do the trays look like?
The spoon was for C-Rations that we opened with a p-38. Rocky--------j
Roque J.(Rocky) Riojas
I'm sorry; But although I'm not from the state of MISOURI, I can't buy that. STAMPING THE DATE THAT AN ARMY FOOD TRAY WAS MANUFACTURED. When turtles fly.
p.s. shush, i have a bridge. shush
not so loud
Here's a link for a mess tray from 1944 Brooke. It has a buy it now price of $14.99!
http://cgi.ebay.com/WW2-WWII-US-Mess-Tray-...6QQcmdZViewItem
yep, marion, that's it!
God bless those heroes who suffered and died, for plain folks, like you and me.
War is a crime. Ask the infantry and ask the dead.
My tray was just a mess kit and a spoon, so what do the trays look like?The spoon was for C-Rations that we opened with a p-38. Rocky--------j
Hello Rocky!! It's a lunch tray, like you use in the cafeteria with the little separate compartments so your bean juice doesn't run into your mashed potatoes 
.
The guy said he bought them from a church a few years ago and they used them for various dinners and such.
Brooke
God bless those heroes who suffered and died, for plain folks, like you and me.
War is a crime. Ask the infantry and ask the dead.
Here's trays going for $17.99 each Brooke. 1944-1945
http://www.rubylane.com/shops/charmingandc...cheap/item/4516
Hey, I like this site, Marion. Check out this cute little medical bag.
http://www.rubylane.com/shops/charmingandc...cheap/item/4611
God bless those heroes who suffered and died, for plain folks, like you and me.
War is a crime. Ask the infantry and ask the dead.
Oooo, you are right, that is CUTE. God forgive us for calling ARMY items cute. Man, the guys will probably disown us. Shhh, know one heard that.... 
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Check out this cute little medical bag.
Cute? You could cut two holes in the bottom and use them as shorts.
Enginears...Engeneres....Engineres----- I are one and I can't spell it.
Hey Roque: Got to agree with you. Last tray I saw was on he troopship (Queen Mary)
going overseas. Just messkits and many times just a spoon carried in my boot top.
Never had to cut C or K rations in a can. The (p-38) can opener was usually carried
on my dog tag chain just in case the neglected to add it..