P-38 can opener

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The P-38 is a small can opener issued in the canned field rations of the United States Armed Forces from World War II to the 1980s. Originally designed for and distributed in the K-ration, it was later included in the C-ration.

It was developed in 1942.^[1]

Contents 1 Design 2 Advantages 3 Usage 4 Similar devices 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Design

Nicknamed the "John Wayne" because the actor was shown in a training film opening a can of K-Rations, the can opener is keychain-sized (about 1.5 inches, 38mm, in length) and consists of a short metal blade that serves as a handle (and also a screwdriver to the resourceful), 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 around 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.

Official military designations for the P-38 include 'US 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 P-38 'Lightning' fighter plane, which could allude to its fast performance. However, the P-51 can opener, while larger and easier to use than the P-38 can opener, also has a fighter plane namesake in the P-51, which is faster and smaller than the P-38 fighter. The most likely origin of the name is much more pedestrian; the P-38 is 38 mm (1.5 in) long. This explanation also holds for the P-51, which measures 51 mm (2.0 in) in length.

P-38s are no longer used for individual rations by the United States Armed Forces, as canned C-rations were replaced by uncanned MREs in the 1980s. They are, however, included with US 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 America and abroad in Afghanistan. The original US-contract P-38 can openers were manufactured by Mallin Hardware (now defunct) of Shelby, Ohio and were variously stamped "US Mallin Shelby O." or "U.S. Shelby Co.". They were later made by J.W. Speaker Corp. (stamped "US Speaker") and by Washburn Corp. (marked "US Androck").

[edit] Advantages

The P-38 is cheaper to manufacture than a standard can opener, and is smaller and lighter to carry. The device can be easily attached to a keyring or dog tag chain using the small punched hole.

[edit] Usage

The P-38 is easily used. First, the cutting point is pivoted to its 90-degree position, from its stowed, folded position. Then, for a right handed user, the P-38 is held in the right hand by the flat long section, with the cutting point pointing downward and back toward the user, while also hooking the edge of the can through the circular notch located on the flat long section next to the cutting edge. The can is held in the left hand, and the right hand is rotated slightly clockwise, causing the can lid to be punctured. The can is then rotated counter clockwise in the left hand, while the right hand rotates alternatively slightly counterclockwise and slightly clockwise, until the can has been rotated nearly 360 degrees and the lid is nearly free. The lid of the now opened can is lifted, most often with the P-38 cutting edge, and the P-38 is wiped clean, and the cutting point is rotated back to its stowed, folded position; then, the P-38 is returned to its stored location, whether that is dangling on a dogtag chain around one's neck, or in one's pocket if the P-38 is attached onto a key ring. Left handed users simply hold the P-38 in their left hand, with the cutting point aimed away from themselves, while holding the can to be opened in their right hand, while also reversing the sense of the cutting hand movements just described. By tradition, 38 cuts as just described were supposedly required to open a can of K-Rations.

[edit] Similar devices

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 derogative term, the "Fucking Ridiculous Eating Device".^[2][3]

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. At one stage they were manufactured by W.P. Warren Engineering Co. Ltd, 79 Alma Street, Birmingham B19 2RL (021-359-2808). 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.

Their design is similar, but not identical, to the P-38 and P-51 can openers.

In 1924, a similar device was featured in Popular Mechanics, with no mention of a military provenance.^[4]

An opener similar to P-38, but with folding blade, was popular in Poland for years; now it still can be found in shops along butterfly - type ones.

[edit] See also

• Church key

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Apr 1924 Popular Mechanics view of a device similar to a P-38
• The Army's Greatest Invention
• P38 Can Opener
• The P-38 GI Can Opener
• Diagrams demonstrating usage
• Variants including integrated bottle openers, safety latches
• Video of the P-38 can opener in action
• A "civil" version of P-38 sold in Poland

v • d • e Rations of the United States military past rations Civil War: food / logistics · C-ration · D-ration · K-ration · 5-in-1 ration · 10-in-1 food parcel · Mountain ration · Jungle ration · LRP ration · Meal, Combat, Individual ration · P-38 can opener · mess kit Garrison ration A-ration Field ration Meal, Ready-to-Eat · First Strike Ration · HOOAH! Bar · Flameless ration heater · B-Ration