Photo to the left shows a lipped measure and copper funnel being used to dole out the grog aboard an unknown WWII British Royal Navy Submarine! Photo to the Right Shows a Pair of Copper Rum Measures and Copper Funnels!
There are eight lipped measures in a complete set just like the "round" measures or cup: from 1 Gallon, 1/2 Gallon, 1 Quart, 1 Pint, 1/2 Pint, 1.5 Gill, 1 Gill and 1/2 or Half Gill.
There were literally thousands and thousands of these copper lipped measures made in the UK during the 19th and early part of the 20th century and were used mostly by the general populace, small shops and taverns dispensing grain and liquids. Because of widespread thievery and no standards to speak of, during the early part of the 19th century all "lipped measures" and measures in general were required to be inspected, tested, and checked for accuracy by "the Crown" at which time they were given an inspection stamp on the "glob" of lead found just inside of the lip!
However lipped measures made and used specifically by the British Royal Navy are rare, very rare, and hard to find!!! To Distinguish Lipped Measures made specifically for the Royal Navy an additional "arsenal stamp" was used consisting of a broad arrow or "crows foot" was stamped onto the measure, usually on the base. Later in the 20th century instead of a stamped Arrow they were stamped with an inventory control number. It's been said that for small vessels only these lipped measures were used to measure out the rum to make the grog, and then used again to dole out the grog to the enlisted crew. On larger ships these lipped measures were used to measure out the rum to make the grog, while the "round" coppper measures were used to dole out the grog.
How the Time Honored Traditional Ceremony was Performed: A Rum Bosun from each mess would come to collect the grog ration for his mess - each man entitled to 1 and 1/2 gill s of grog. A pint measure holds 8 x 1/2 gill s, and obviously a 1/2 gill measure is a half gill
If the Rum Bosun's mess contained 6 individuals that were entitled to 'draw the tot', then that is 6 x 1 and 1/2 gills of grog, equalling 9 half gill s of grog. The Rum Bosun would then receive a 1 pint measure and 1/2 gill measure which would be dipped into the 'grog tub' and then poured into his "rum fanny" to be brought back and served to his mess mates.
| British Royal Navy Marked Polished One Pint Copper Funnel w/ Stamped Inventory Control Number 52488, Used in Dispensing the Raw Rum and Mixed Grog to the Enlisted Sailors in the Time Honored Tradition. Tinned Interior is 100% there, and Still Retains the Clip for Hanging! One Pint Funnel #02 |
 Click Photo! |
Funnel #02 |
|
To Purchase |
Because of heritage and lineage the US Navy imitated and mirror imaged much of both equipment and traditions as found in the British Royal Navy. As such the American Navy also had "Measures" in blue speckled graniteware but only five, from the largest 1 Gallon to 1 gill unit measure. The US Navy equivalent "Measures" can be found by By Clicking Here - US Navy Measures.
Click HERE for WWII US Navy Anchor China| The Real Deal! Fully Restored Antique Trunks Like Sea Chests, Pirate Chests, Treasure Chests - Perfect as a Naval Retirement Gift, use as a Shadowbox and to store Uniforms and Service Memorabilia! |
 Click Here To Review Sample Engravings |
|
| Custom Designed, Handcrafted, and Hand Lettered in Caligraphy on your Antique Chest |
 Click Here To Review Sample Engravings |
|
| Customer Photographic Examples of our Antique Trunks Being used as a Military or Naval Retirement Shadow Box and Storage Chest!! |
 Click Here for Sample Shadow Box Photographs From Customers |
|
Or Click HERE to return to The Pirate's Lair Home Page and Gangplank!