P-38 can opener
The P-38 is a small, lightweight, disposable, foldable alloy steel can opener that was issued with canned United States military rations from its introduction in 1942 to the end of canned ration issuance in the 1980s.[1] Originally designed for and distributed in the K-ration, it was later included in the C-ration. A larger later variant is known as the P-51.
As of 2025, the P-38 can still be found in military surplus stores.[2]
Design
[edit]The can opener is approximately 1.5 inches (38 mm) long, and consists of a short rectangular metal handle with a small, hinged metal tooth that folds out to pierce the can lid.
A notch just under the hinge point keeps the opener hooked beneath the rim of the can as the device is "walked" around to cut the lid out. A larger version called the P-51 is somewhat easier to operate thanks to the greater leverage it can generate.
Official military designations for the P-38 include "U.S. ARMY POCKET CAN OPENER" and "OPENER, CAN, HAND, FOLDING, TYPE I". As with some other military terms (e.g., "jeep"), the origin of the term is not known with certainty. The P-38 opener coincidentally shares a designation with the Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter plane, which could allude to its fast performance; additionally the P-51 can opener also has an aircraft namesake in the North American P-51 Mustang. [1] >
P-38s are no longer used for individual rations by the U.S. military, as canned C-rations were replaced by MRE rations in the 1980s, packed in plastic pouches. The larger P-51s are included with United States military "Tray Rations" (canned bulk meals). They are also still seen in disaster recovery efforts and have been handed out alongside canned food by rescue organizations, both in the U.S. and abroad.
The iconic P-38 can opener was designed, patented and manufactured by J.W. Speaker Corporation of Germantown, Wisconsin[3] (stamped "Speaker USA") and was also manufactured by Washburn Corporation (marked "US Androck"); they were later made by Mallin Shelby Hardware inc (defunct 1973) of Shelby, Ohio, and were variously stamped "US Mallin Shelby O." or "U.S. Shelby Co."
Operation
[edit]The P-38 is operated by pivoting its cutting tooth to its designed 95-degree position[4] from its stowed position folded against the body. The opener is held in the right hand by the flat long section, with its circular notch hooking the underside of the can’s rim and the cutting tooth pointing downward and away from the user.
The right hand is rotated slightly away from the user, causing the can lid to be punctured. The opener is then advanced slightly towards the user and the motion repeated around the can.
As the folding tooth only locks in one orientation, operation is reversed for left-handed usage, an ergonomically much less efficient procedure.
Similar devices
[edit]
A similar device that incorporates a small spoon at one end and a bottle opener at the other is currently employed by the Australian Defence Force and New Zealand Army in its ration kits. The Field Ration Eating Device is known by the acronym "FRED". It is also known widely in its derogatory backronym, the "Fucking Ridiculous Eating Device".[5][6]
Another similar device was included with British Army "Operational Ration Pack, General Purpose" 24-hour ration pack and "Compo" Composite (14 man) Ration pack rations.[citation needed] At one stage they were manufactured by W.P. Warren Engineering Co. Ltd, Birmingham, England. The instructions printed on the miniature greaseproof paper bag they were supplied in read:
TO OPEN CAN:
Place opener on the can with rim of can inside the slot. Hold between thumb and forefinger and twist forward to puncture. Repeat motion until can is open.
The Swedish army also employed a similar variant of this opener. Its official designation is M7481-021000 Konservbrytare Mini which was distributed with field rations.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Foster, Renita (2009-08-11). "The best Army invention ever". www.army.mil. U.S. Army. Retrieved 2014-12-19.
- ^ "Buy P38 or P51 Can Opener at Army Surplus World | Army Surplus World". www.armysurplusworld.com. Retrieved 2020-01-04.
- ^ "Small Wonder". Milwaukee Magazine. 20 April 2009. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ "MILITARY SPECIFICATIONS AND DRAWINGS FOR P-38 AND P-51 CAN OPENERS". www.georgia-outfitters.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2004.
- ^ Hardiman, Graeme. "The Malayan Emergency. 2RAR 1956/57". Digger History: an unofficial history of the Australian & New Zealand Armed Forces. Retrieved 2007-11-05.
- ^ "Australian Ration pack Contents". Ration Pack. Australian Defence News & Opinion. 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2007-11-05.
External links
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