Robert F. Dorr is an author, U.S. Air Force veteran, and retired American diplomat who... P-38 was a great tool! For the most complete and accurate information about P-38 Can Openers. The result was a small, folding can opener, the P-38. 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 away from 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. A larger version called the P-51 is somewhat easier to operate. The P-38 was originally included in every individual ration accessory pack. [3][unreliable source? The can opener is pocket-sized, approximately 1.5 inches (38 mm) long, and consists of a short metal blade that serves as a 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 around the rim of the can as the device is “walked” around to cut the lid out. It takes less time to open a can with a p51 than a p38. The P-38 was such a trusty tool for the G.I. 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. C-rations have long since been replaced with the more convenient Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), but the fame of the P-38 persists, thanks to the many uses stemming from the unique blend of ingenuity and creativity all soldiers seem to have. The origin of the ‘P-38’ designation is debated, no one is sure exactly where it came from. A more likely explanation is that the “38” comes from the length of the can … Whatever the name, the P-38 was a favorite. There have been can openers as long as there have been products sealed in cans. • Genuine GI Can Openers. The Swedish army also employed a similar variant of this opener. http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/05/16/time-and-money-saving-tools-for-womans-workshop-in-home-3/?Qwd=./PopularMechanics/4-1924/womens_workshop&Qif=womens_workshop_1.jpg&Qiv=thumbs&Qis=XL#qdig, http://blog.modernmechanix.com/time-and-money-saving-tools-for-womans-workshop-in-home-3/1/#mmGal, House Committee Leaders Press U.S. Coast Guard to Adopt NAS Recommendations on Unmanned Systems, Corps of Engineers Restores Nature with Nature, B-1B Lancer Completes Successful External Release Demonstration, Boeing’s Autonomous MQ-25 Completes First Test Flight with Aerial Refueling Store, New Three-Nation Composite Special Operations Component Command (C-SOCC) Headquarters Fully Operational, Top Military Shots DEC 13, 2019 | Photo Gallery, Top Military Shots Oct 18, 2019 | Photo Gallery, Top Military Shots Oct 11, 2019 | Photo Gallery, USS Indianapolis (LCS 17) Completes Trials | Video, Army Research Lab Selects 3D Systems to Develop World’s Largest, Fastest Metal Powder 3D Printer, Top Military Shots Oct 24, 2019 | Photo Gallery, Top Military Shots Oct 4, 2019 | Photo Gallery, Top Military Shots Sep 27, 2019 | Photo Gallery. Repeat motion until can is open. According to an article by Maj. Renita Foster in the Pentagon’s newspaper in 1986, the P-38 could clean muddy boots, screw screws, open letters, strip wires, trim threads on uniforms, and sharpen pencils. I love it. Another beautiful piece of writing, Mr. Dorr. It also is possible that “38” was the number of punches (a “P” word) it took to open a ration can. Wikipedia states that this type of can opener was popular in Eastern Europe preceding 1924. The metal opener, nicknamed a P-38 in part because of the 38 punctures needed for it to open a can of C-rations, had been clipped to his key chain since he came home from the war. Originally manufactured for soldiers in … Page 1 of 1 Start over Page 1 of 1 . The device can be easily attached to a keychain or dog tag chain using the small punched hole. But no smart soldier ever discarded his P-38. We were still eating the C Rations at that time. P-38 Can Opener. In 1924, a similar device was featured in Popular Mechanics, with no mention of a military provenance.[8]. Back. With it’s added length p51 is easier to use. When the power is out or your electric can opener bites the dust, a Military Style P-38 Can Opener will save the day. I also wanted to add that over the years I used my P-38 to open cans on several occasions when more “modern” revolving or even electric can openers couldn’t do the job. The P-38 certainly seems a dead ringer for the can opener illustrated. Several companies are producing versions of the P-38 and P-51 can openers for civilian purchasers today. or "U.S. Shelby Co.". It was hinged and was just 1 and 1/2 inches long with a hole in one end. The can opener is approximately 1.5 inches (38 mm) long, and consists of a short metal blade that serves as a handle, with a small, hinged metal tooth that folds out to pierce the can lid. It is also said to be named after the Lockheed P-38 Lightning figther plane for its speed in opening cans. Once the Army realized that most soldiers were saving the device, it started placing fewer of them in each case of C “rats.”. U.S. Army photo. Affix a P-3 8 can opener to your bugout bag. It is slightly longer than 38 millimetres (1.5 in). The P-38 disappeared as an issue item in the Army, but some still carry them today, often on a key ring after acquiring it from a family member or friend or purchasing it. Hold between thumb and forefinger and twist forward to puncture. My Dad was a Vietnam era Marine and he is the one that taught me about the P-38. Carlos Bazan, SFC Retired. : The tiny, lightweight, P-38 collapsible can opener was developed during World War II, reported to have been a rapid 30 days design project in the summer of 1942 by the U.S. Army Subsistence Research Laboratory in Chicago, IL. The P-38 was first issued in 1943 as part of a ration item known as the Hospital Five-in-One. The P-38 can opener was designed for soldiers in 1942, it filled the need for a can opener for the C Rations that existed in some form through the early 1980s when MREs replaced these. Stash military can openers with survival kits: P ut a P-38 can opener on your key chain, but be sure to wrap the blade in a bit of duct tape or use a rubber band. By tradition, 38 cuts as just described were supposedly required to open a can of C-Rations. The P-38, developed in 1942,[1] is a small can opener that was issued in the canned field rations of the United States Armed Forces from World War II to the 1980s. Also the Major may have seen a military need to provide the can opener with rations and coordinated to get them produced in quantity. A more likely explanation is that the “38” comes from the length of the can opener, which is 38 millimeters (or 1 1/2 inches). Some claim that the P-38 could be used to set the points on a car engine, because the thickness of the steel was just right for the point gap. The P-38 is easily used. 1 - p38 can opener, 1 1/2" long 1 - p51 can opener, 2" long Fits on key chain Customers who viewed this item also viewed . I’ve used it for various things over the years. A p51 or p38 opener work well on any size of can rim. Robert F. Dorr and Fred L. Borch Its official designation is M7481-021000 Konservbrytare Mini which was distributed with the notorious "Golden Cans" (Swedish field rations were packaged in metallic tins with a golden hue). A P-38 Military Style Can Opener will work on any size can rim. With it’s smaller size P38 is a must have in your emergency survival kit, key ring, tackle box, bug … Russell Hill used this P-38 can opener during his service with the 787th Anti-Aircraft Automatic Weapons Battalion (Semimobile) in Europe in 1944-1945. Served USMC 1968 ~ 1992. Thanks for posting your comment. U.S. Army Heritage Museum photo. 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. Many a soldier hung his P-38 with his dog tags around his neck. Originally designed for and distributed in the K-ration, it was later included in the C-ration. The larger P-51s are included with United States military "Tray Rations" (canned bulk meals). The P-38/P-51 option is a light weight solution to your problem. First, the cutting point is pivoted to its 95-degree position,[5] from its stowed, folded position. In times past, the rations carried by a soldier or Marine were enclosed inside steel cans. US p38 can opener, stamped on side "US SPEAKER" I occasionally travel and lately have taken to giving away p38 can openers. As of 2013, it is still in production and sold on a worldwide market. It seems that it was a common item used by households in 1924, thus preceding the date of ‘invention’ by the Army. Left-handed users simply hold the P-38 in their left hand, with the cutting point aimed towards themselves, while holding the can to be opened in their right hand, while also reversing the sense of the cutting hand movements just described. This is perhaps one of the handiest tools to carry on your dog tag necklace or key chain for the price. but still helping Active duty at PAFB chapel, Orlando Fl, Vietnam & all Vets museum out reach programs, Liaison Volunteer Officer for Vietnamese community so their accomplishments are seen . Also, it remember that TSA will confiscate it as it's considered a deadly weapon. P38.org . Historians disagree as to which of three theories explains the moniker. Perhaps that is why many soldiers, past and present, regard the P-38 C-ration can opener as the Army's best invention. Originally designed for and distributed in the K-ration, it was later included in the C-ration. The instructions printed on the miniature greaseproof paper bag they were supplied in read: TO OPEN CAN: Although soldiers kept the P-38 to open their rations, they also retained it because it was an invaluable field tool. P38 Can Opener 5 Piec Military Issue US Shelby Company Hunting Fishing Camping. It became the standard issue item with the G-ration in June 1944. I got mine during basic training in Feb 1973,,,,and i still carry it to this day. The P-38 can opener is 1 1/2" long and half the weight of P-51. Although “Opener, Can, Hand, Folding” is its official Army nomenclature, it soon acquired the popular name P-38. The original U.S.-contract P-38 can openers were manufactured by J.W. Official military designations for the P-38 include "US ARMY POCKET CAN OPENER" and "OPENER, CAN, HAND, FOLDING, TYPE I". 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