Identified Civil War Soldier’s Knife, Fork & Spoon Set – Theo. Benner, Co. D, 205th Pennsylvania Infantry

Identified Civil War Soldier’s Knife, Fork & Spoon Set – Theo. Benner, Co. D, 205th Pennsylvania Infantry - Inventory Number: IDE 304

An outstanding and fully identified Civil War soldier’s personal eating utensil set, consisting of a folding knife and combination fork/spoon, both with carved wooden handles. The knife is boldly inscribed:

“Theo. Benner D 205” — identifying the original owner as Private Theodore Benner of Company D, 205th Pennsylvania Infantry.

The fork and spoon are joined on a single handle, a typical wartime design favored for field use. The brass spoon bowl shows honest wear from use, and the knife blade bears the marks of time and service. All pieces rest in a striking red felt display, ready for preservation or presentation.

A rare, completely personalized Civil War mess set with soldier identification—ideal for collectors of field gear or Pennsylvania regimental artifacts.

Private Theodore Benner – Co. D, 205th Pennsylvania Infantry:

Private Benner’s regiment, the 205th Pennsylvania, was mustered in 1864 and served with the Army of the James, participating in the Siege of Petersburg and the pursuit of Lee.

Private Theodore Benner enlisted in Company D of the 205th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, a regiment organized at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and mustered into service on September 2, 1864, for a one-year term.

The 205th Pennsylvania was part of the Army of the James and later the Army of the Potomac, seeing immediate action in the Siege of Petersburg, where they endured heavy combat and trench warfare through the fall and winter of 1864–1865.

Benner and his comrades participated in:

• The Battle of Fort Stedman (March 25, 1865)

• The final Assault on Petersburg (April 2, 1865)

• The pursuit of Lee’s Army, culminating in the Confederate surrender at Appomattox.

The 205th was mustered out of service on June 2, 1865.

While records specific to Private Benner are limited in commonly available databases, the personalized carving on the knife handle strongly confirms his identity and presence with this hard-fighting late-war regiment.

Comes housed in a display case with red velvet and descriptive card.

*To purchase this item directly with a credit card, please click on this link.

Inventory Number: IDE 304