Jump to content

If You Can't Take the Heat Then Stay Away From These Stoves and Ration Heaters


rambob
 Share

Recommended Posts

For some time now I have always been interested in the small individual stoves that were issued by the military to their soldiers. So when I can find them in nice condition, I always buy any models I don’t currently have in my collection. So I thought I would do a topic about this subject to show the variety of models that were issued. If this subject has already been hashed out previously, then I apologize in advance.

 

The first stove in my collection is a mint, unissued M-1941 individual stove that came in its original cardboard box with its case, manual and all accessories. The case, stove and manual are all dated 1944 and the stove is also stamped US 1944 AMERICAN which is the same manufacturer name as mentioned on the box. The wrench and spare parts cylinder are both there and snapped into their places on the stove frame. The manual is small enough and intended to fit inside the case along with the stove. Notice how the case has two adjustment slots for the lid to accommodate both the M1941 and M1942 stoves that were different lengths. BTW. The pot shown on top of the stove is from my WWII dated Mountain Cookset. Overall, a mint condition stove set that just doesn’t get better than this, gentlemen.

 

 

post-299-0-02257100-1424916609.jpg

post-299-0-63737700-1424916623.jpg

post-299-0-81145600-1424916641.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The second stove in my collection is an almost mint, M-1942 individual stove that came with its case and all accessories. Unfortunately, it did NOT come with the issue cardboard box and manual, but still worthy to be a placeholder until I get a more complete example. The stove itself is stamped US M 1942 MOD C-A-1945 and has the original wrench and the snap on spare parts kit. This stove was designed to fit inside and be carried in the Mountain Cookset, but because of the possibility of fuel leaks contaminating the inside of the cookset, I don’t know how often this was actually done.

 

 

post-299-0-52804800-1424916797.jpg

post-299-0-36164800-1424916807.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here is another mint, unissued stove which is the M-1950 model again in the issue cardboard box, with wrench, two technical manuals and clip on spare parts container. The cardboard box and stove are both dated 1964 and the stampings on the stove are US “ROGERS”-AKRON, OHIO 1964. The technical manual TM 10-708 is dated October 1951 and the second manual TM 10-7310-202-25P is dated March 1963. So this cooking stove would have been manufactured and issued in the early years of Vietnam.

 

 

post-299-0-47666300-1424916904.jpg

post-299-0-96911800-1424916914.jpg

post-299-0-44130700-1424916924.jpg

post-299-0-82738400-1424916933.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here is a mint unissued Model 523, Coleman, double burner stove with half of the issue box it came packed in. Somewhere in the history of this stove, the lower half of the cardboard box became wet and dissolved. I removed the bad section and kept the rest of the box with the stove since it still had the Coleman return address readable on it. Luckily the stove itself did not seem adversely affected by the moisture and is still pristine. The stove also came complete with the wrench and both metal tubes full of spare parts. The stove is stamped U.S. COLEMAN 1943 on the front. I am also showing a combination aluminum carrying case and medical instrument sterilizing tub that the stove can also fit inside for storage. The case is stamped U.S. AGMCO 1944 and the stove fits really tight in this case and is a challenge to remove it once it is inserted.

 

 

post-299-0-86071000-1424916989.jpg

post-299-0-74564300-1424917000.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lastly, here is a selection of hexamine tablets and ration heaters I have acquired over the years. The greenish tube has 6 individual tablets of hexamine and has the markings FUEL, RATION HEATING (INDIVIDUAL) HEXAMINE Stock No. 51-F-2073 Specification MIL-F-10805 (QMC). The smaller roll has a single tablet inside and is marked FUEL, RATION HEATING INDIVIDUAL HEXAMINE Stock No. 51-F-2070 Spec. JCQD 1002B, Dated 1 November 1945. The small square cardboard box is marked FUEL TABLET Ration Heating, 3 oz. Cake and on the side is printed FUEL TABLET WILL HEAT 1 MEAL FOR 5 MEN FROM 10 IN 1 RATION. So I am guessing that this Fuel Tablet may have been issued and included in the 10 in 1 ration. The last of the hexamine fuel is the small green can that is marked 2 oz. FUEL TABLET RATION HEATING For USE AS A FUEL ONLY. I am not sure what era it is and whether it is indeed military issued since there are no stock number or specification details printed on the can. Finally, I show small sheet metal ration heater that was perfect for heating rations in cans such as the C ration, as shown. It is a cute design that holds a single hexamine tablet such as what is shown and found in the green tube. It is stamped NOM-38075-U.S.M.C J.W.B – M3 1943 PAT. PEND. on each of the three vanes.

 

 

post-299-0-43160100-1424917135.jpg

post-299-0-95184900-1424917141.jpg

post-299-0-62339500-1424917150.jpg

post-299-0-88258700-1424917159.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A fantastic collection of war and post-war stoves, Bob. Stoves have often been under-appreciated, IMO, and therefore not well represented in collections. As a former Boy Scout, I can certainly appreciate the important function that a well working Coleman stove can perform and I'm sure the troops did even more.

 

Thanks for sharing such excellent examples!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

More Model 523 Stove Photos.

Your Model 523 is a double burner stove made for the US Army medical department. I have the late war 523 unissued with the manual they are very neat stoves.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wonderful collection and some stunning examples, thank you for sharing! I have always had a fascination with stoves and have a few, but nothing like this.

 

I had heard that the german gas mask canister was sometimes used in place of the issue aluminum container because it had a strap and the single burner stoves fit well. Anyone else ever hear of this?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

gunbunnyB/3/75FA

ghost ive heard about that as well; ive got a few stoves as well, i even keep a "68" dated one in my truck in the winter.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you everyone for the kind words. I have really enjoyed finding these examples for a sub category of my WWII collection. BTW. Here is a neat video I found of a Model 523 stove that was refurbished and is glowing in all its heat generating glory. Its funny, but I have never actually fired up any of the stoves that I own because I feel they are just in too good of condition for that.

 

Bob

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great collection! Keep adding to that collection there! I've kinda shifted gears towards to nourishment aspect of militaria as well. I just bought a M-1950 , marked Rogers 1966. I have yet to fire it up. Paid $50 at a local gun show. Great shape like yours. Everything present but the cardboard box. You think that was a fair price?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice collection of stoves rambob!

 

I also wanted to mention that the 523 was not limited to the medical department. The QM referred to that stove as the Stove Cooking Gasoline M-1942 2-burner, stock number 65-H-2882. Two complete units including the pots/storage containers were a component of the 20 man cooking outfit. The 20 man cooking outfit is the one with the nesting pots and frying pans and everything fit into a canvas bag about the size of a barracks bag.

 

Peter

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I purchased this burner from a retired military officer. He told me it was a WWII Medics sterilizer burner for tools and cauterizing wounds and runs on alcohol.

 

post-7997-0-15079700-1425003581.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...