viking73 Posted April 28, 2019 Share #1 Posted April 28, 2019 Hi, Yesterday and hit an antique store I'd never gone to before close to me. There was a couple of sellers with military items but I didn't see anything I really couldn't live without... Prices were so-so. Then I checked out one booth with some random stuff and as I was about to turn and walk away, I spied this box until a table. An unopened case of MREs from 1981!! And the best part, it was marked down to $20 -Derek Link to post Share on other sites
viking73 Posted April 28, 2019 Author Share #2 Posted April 28, 2019 Here's the top of the box: Link to post Share on other sites
Renegade Posted April 28, 2019 Share #3 Posted April 28, 2019 Good Score- Probably never find any earlier date than that. Link to post Share on other sites
USARV72 Posted April 29, 2019 Share #4 Posted April 29, 2019 Wow, early brown ones are collectible. “Meals Rejected By Ethopians” were fitting for some early ones. "The true Soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him" G.K. Chesterton"A people that values it's privileges above its principles will soon lose both" D.D. Eisenhower Link to post Share on other sites
JesseJames Posted April 29, 2019 Share #5 Posted April 29, 2019 Nice find. They practically gave it away @ $20. People pay a lot of money for old MRE's. Checkout that guy on youtube who eats MRE's from the vietnam war and reviews them like they're 5-course meals. He's eaten MRE's from the korean war and ww2 as well. Not sure how he's still alive. Link to post Share on other sites
T Ambrosini Posted April 29, 2019 Share #6 Posted April 29, 2019 Yeah, baby.... Ham and chicken loaf!!! Looking for items related to the Ninth Coast Artillery District and 6th Coast Artillery Regment Airman, give me a 341 !!!! Link to post Share on other sites
viking73 Posted April 29, 2019 Author Share #7 Posted April 29, 2019 Nice find. They practically gave it away @ $20. People pay a lot of money for old MRE's. Checkout that guy on youtube who eats MRE's from the vietnam war and reviews them like they're 5-course meals. He's eaten MRE's from the korean war and ww2 as well. Not sure how he's still alive. Yeah, I thought so too. The original price was $40 but it had been marked down to $20. Guess they'd been there awhile, waiting for me to come take them home Steve1989's ration reviews on YouTube are pretty great. I am a subscriber I admit. Not too long ago, he ate a piece of Civil War hardtack. Crazy but can't look away. I'm sure these MREs aren't any good. This case will stay sealed even though I am a bit tempted to open the case and check them out in all their dark brown pouch glory! -Derek Link to post Share on other sites
USARV72 Posted April 29, 2019 Share #8 Posted April 29, 2019 No MREs in Vietnam, meal, individual AKA “C rations” and freeze dried LRRP rations. IIRC first MREs came out late 70s , in a green cardboard box. One in collection. LRRP rations would maybe be ok? Had lots of them in 80s, son and I ate some when camping. "The true Soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him" G.K. Chesterton"A people that values it's privileges above its principles will soon lose both" D.D. Eisenhower Link to post Share on other sites
phantomfixer Posted April 29, 2019 Share #9 Posted April 29, 2019 AWESOME!! those early ones had dehydrated meat sponges...just add water and a steak appeared LOL or just a brown sponge....the best were the dehydrated strawberries ,,,good stuff...and just my opinion...unless they burst open...I would say I would eat one...if the case was opened...dont think I would open a sealed case though... Link to post Share on other sites
msgt norway Posted April 29, 2019 Share #10 Posted April 29, 2019 this case is packed in 1982. may 13th. btw its a cool find let me know if considering selling it.... cheers ken Link to post Share on other sites
T Ambrosini Posted April 29, 2019 Share #11 Posted April 29, 2019 The MRE Cookbook... Haute cuisine! Looking for items related to the Ninth Coast Artillery District and 6th Coast Artillery Regment Airman, give me a 341 !!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Paulruss Posted April 30, 2019 Share #12 Posted April 30, 2019 Cold ham and cheese omelet, one of the best Link to post Share on other sites
phantomfixer Posted April 30, 2019 Share #13 Posted April 30, 2019 Cold ham and cheese omelet, one of the best ...I could never get past the smell...even with the Tabasco Favorite was the sghetti with meat sauce...but don't think that was one of the original menu items Anyone have a list of the original menus for the MREs...the menu choices were limited IIRC Link to post Share on other sites
msgt norway Posted April 30, 2019 Share #14 Posted April 30, 2019 01 pork patty 02 ham and chicken loaf 03 beef patty 04 beef slices with bbq sauce 05 beef stew 06 frankfurters with beans 07 turkey diced with gravy 08 beef diced with gravy 09 chicken ala king 10 meatballs with bbq sauce 11 ham slices 12 beef ground with spiced sauce 12 b chicken loaf these was the menus from 1981-1985 Link to post Share on other sites
msgt norway Posted April 30, 2019 Share #15 Posted April 30, 2019 No MREs in Vietnam, meal, individual AKA “C rations” and freeze dried LRRP rations. IIRC first MREs came out late 70s , in a green cardboard box. One in collection. LRRP rations would maybe be ok? Had lots of them in 80s, son and I ate some when camping. got pictures of the old style/first run mre? cheers ken Link to post Share on other sites
phantomfixer Posted April 30, 2019 Share #16 Posted April 30, 2019 Thanks Norway... how could I forget chicken ala king that was another good one Link to post Share on other sites
msgt norway Posted April 30, 2019 Share #17 Posted April 30, 2019 chicken ala death was another name for it ... Link to post Share on other sites
USARV72 Posted April 30, 2019 Share #18 Posted April 30, 2019 got pictures of the old style/first run mre? cheers ken Yea, have to dig out the rations box, be tomorrow. Was thinking about it but to busy..... "The true Soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him" G.K. Chesterton"A people that values it's privileges above its principles will soon lose both" D.D. Eisenhower Link to post Share on other sites
USARV72 Posted April 30, 2019 Share #19 Posted April 30, 2019 got pictures of the old style/first run mre? cheers ken Yea, have to dig out the rations box, be tomorrow. Was thinking about it but to busy..... "The true Soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him" G.K. Chesterton"A people that values it's privileges above its principles will soon lose both" D.D. Eisenhower Link to post Share on other sites
tarheel1 Posted May 1, 2019 Share #20 Posted May 1, 2019 Chicken ala king was big-time trade bait! TH1 Collector of WWI US Navy "Donald Duck" Caps and Hat Tallies - Looking for Tallies from the USS Carp & USS Chauncey Link to post Share on other sites
USARV72 Posted May 1, 2019 Share #21 Posted May 1, 2019 First issue MRE . Ken, Thank you for prompting me to dig this out, found a leaking can of RVN C rations that had fungus among us, caught it in time. Will post pics in another thread on storing rations. "The true Soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him" G.K. Chesterton"A people that values it's privileges above its principles will soon lose both" D.D. Eisenhower Link to post Share on other sites
USARV72 Posted May 1, 2019 Share #22 Posted May 1, 2019 Main dish, glad this is freeze dried... "The true Soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him" G.K. Chesterton"A people that values it's privileges above its principles will soon lose both" D.D. Eisenhower Link to post Share on other sites
USARV72 Posted May 1, 2019 Share #23 Posted May 1, 2019 Extra goodies in box. "The true Soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him" G.K. Chesterton"A people that values it's privileges above its principles will soon lose both" D.D. Eisenhower Link to post Share on other sites
USARV72 Posted May 1, 2019 Share #24 Posted May 1, 2019 Opinion form in box, would have loved to read them. "The true Soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him" G.K. Chesterton"A people that values it's privileges above its principles will soon lose both" D.D. Eisenhower Link to post Share on other sites
USARV72 Posted May 1, 2019 Share #25 Posted May 1, 2019 Back of form. Any one remember these? Also notice the cigarettes in the accessory packet. "The true Soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him" G.K. Chesterton"A people that values it's privileges above its principles will soon lose both" D.D. Eisenhower Link to post Share on other sites
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