Was going through an old box and found these...carried one like the one on the left for many years...Attachment 499841
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Was going through an old box and found these...carried one like the one on the left for many years...Attachment 499841
Sent from my SM-S916U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
I still have a couple in my kit.
Been a long time since I seen one of those.
I’ve never used one like that.
P-38 used em a bunch in scouts.
Don’t get rid of em.
I still have one in my pocket right now .... it is about 20 years old and my 2nd one ... been carrying one since 1975 or so.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen one! It’s just a knife?
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My grandfather taught us how to use them. He had one he used in WWII.
P38 I he several
No, it's not a "knife" ... it's a "can opener" (military issue)Quote:
Originally Posted by Lund
The P-38 (larger variant known as the P-51) is a small 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. Originally designed for and distributed in the K-ration, it was later included in the C-ration.
have used one a few times
Yep, we used to get 12 individually paper wrapped in a case on C-Rations, that’s the smaller p38. I think every cook in before they were changed to MRE’s had at least a dozen. Those little things were strong enough to open the square 20lb cans of coffee grounds. Old tin cans twice as thick as vegetable cans are today...I know I opened many of them.
Been a good while don't have one now would like to get another.
They always work
Military can opener that worked pretty good.
Have had one on my key ring since 1988. Got it at Fort Polk, Louisiana during an AIT training.
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I still have the one I got in 1966 in Basic Training at Ft Dix. I stopped carrying it on my key chain when I took a gash out of my leg, climbing over a fence.
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Very Cool Post JD! Don't leave home without it right. I have seen them but never used one myself.
I have both a P-38 and P-51 somewhere. Still work great if I can get my old arthritic hands to operate them!
I done Ft Dix in january 87 never been so darn cold in my life!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Clint
I still have mine Fort Polk 1972 basic training
to this day I still have it on my key ring
Did you carry the picture of MR DUX around also?:Rofl
Mine has opened a many can of beans at camp.
My dad was a WW2 and Korean vet and keep those P-38's around the house. I never personally used one.
Update I just watched a video on Youtube on how to use one. Pretty cool.
Bugman: Most Military Supply Stores have them. I have bought them for family and friends for around fifty cents each.Quote:
Originally Posted by bugman
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Bugman, I went from the desert in Barstow, California, (Fort Irwin area) in June to Ft Jackson, SC. And never was dry till after I left after AIT in October. 110% humidity change from on to the other...Quote:
Originally Posted by bugman
can get them both on ebay too!Quote:
Originally Posted by SandySkiff
Very handy
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It has also been used as a flat blade screw driver, a corner of it has been used in place of a Phillips screw driver as well...Quote:
Originally Posted by CrappiePappy
Thanks for the gifts Eric gonna give em a go to see if i need to be requalified on how to use em...lol dropping you a gift in the mail this mornin.
Lots of luck on the requalification test...Your welcome. Hope they bring back some good memories. I figured you sent me something as it showed up on informed delivery this morning. Thank you... Eric.Quote:
Originally Posted by bugman
You bet my friend holler if you ever need anything.
I will For sure...
Little one is a P-38 can opener and I think the big one is a P-90? Big one. Have a few laying around
I already knew because my dad and his best friend carried one on their key rings. It also makes a guest appearance in the book I'm reading right now.
Attachment 500471
Was issued one in the Corp in '81 along with my C-Rats. Eventually we switched to MRE's. I have a couple in my canteen cover pouches, and with my dog tags. Used them daily for a long time. Just as fast as a civilian manual can opener. Buddy and I were making Dutch Oven Cobbler for Scouts one night and raced each other to see who could open three cans of fruit first. Cobbler was delicious.