$20 · British Royal Navy Copper Rum “Tot” Measure Cup. Stamped “H.M.S.”

MEET UP MORNINGS NEAR FORT AND COOK, selling lots of good items, some free with purchase, click on my photo for listings. “His (or Her) Majesty's Ship, abbreviated HMS and H.M.S., is the ship prefix used for ships of the navy in some monarchies. The Royal Naval rum ration was originally measured in half-gill tots (an eighth of a pint) and variously diluted, often into a two-gill (half-pint) measure.” Excellent condition, tin lined for safe use. No damage and clean I don’t know the history of this cup, but it was likely purchased in a Naval Museum Shop in Britain. Selling tor an elderly family member who had an interest in the British services. He’d had it for a number of years from when he did some travelling. A true reproduction of the original “tot” cup. I couldn’t find any of this size online but in the history of them I see many different sizes were made long ago. Now it’s just 2” high reproductions made. This is a good size for a mixed cocktail! * Stamped 1/2 Gill. A half-gill is 1/4 pint which is 4 ounces or 1/2 cup. * This one holds a full measuring cup to 1/2” from the top. Typically it was diluted as noted above. * Hand-beaten brass, copper plated and lined in silver to neutralise the taste so nothing will spoil the flavour of your rum * The base is stamped with H.M.S. * Measures 3 & 1/3” high and 2 & 1/3” across the bottom. Weighs 195 grams (just under 7 ounces). Close to 1/2 pound! The ones for sale now are smaller and much lighter weight. A treasure that’s not available now! Would be of great interest to Navy folk! This link is for a 2” high one, so much smaller, rough shape and “out of stock”. It’s $30 US, which is $41 CDN plus shipping, likely end up at $100 total! https://jamirayvintage.com/products/copper-navy-rum-cup-stamped-hms Some very interesting history in this link of the rum tot cup. https://www.thepirateslair.com/8-naval-rum-grog-measure-cups-identification.html