Identifying WWII P-38 Can Openers

[gitana]

First off, this discussion has some great photos, some of which I've included here. 

 

I was going through old threads and information online, trying to figure out if you can identify WWII P-38s, and so far the answer is No. I haven't found any way to identify one as WWII vintage. So can we figure this out?

 

I'd like to ask those who might know: 

 

The P-38 starting in WWII was unique in that it stayed closed - you had to pry it open, and then you'd 'snap' it shut.

1. For those of you who have been using an issued P-38s for years, is the 'snap' feature something that wears out, or does yours still snap shut? I'm wondering if commercial copies just didn't bother with that feature, and if so perhaps that's a way to distinguish them? 

 

2. Does anyone have a dated specification or drawing? "Military specifications were exact and clear as to manufacturing guidelines. The opener had to be made of heat-treated carbon steel and tin plated to prevent corrosion. It was marked “U.S.,” stamped with the manufacturers name or trademark, and to facilitate cleaning, a hole was put in the handle." This is from a great article, The P38 Can Opener.

 

3. Have you ever found a WWII photo showing a P-38? I've seen Army photos, but they've been undated.

 

That same article above mentions that only three companies made P-38s during WWII:

• Washburn Company of Rockford, Illinois
• Bloomfield Co. of Chicago, Illinois
• Speaker Corp. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Because these three are so close to each other, I assume the purchasing entity (Quartermaster?) was nearby. 

 

 

Here are my examples. 

• US SPEAKER (not dated)
• US GG GREENE (1951)
• No markings
• No markings

 

The top two are marked and were military issue. They both snap shut and have to be pried open. 

The bottom two are unmarked, and the blades flap around, not snapping shut. Is that because they're commercial copies or just worn? 

 

 

 

This excellent photo shows many types, and for almost all the reinforcing ridge/channel either touches the right edge only or does not touch either edge. 

The exceptions are the upper left example, that looks the same as the unmarked one above (third from top), and in the second column, three down (with a tiny "U.S." marking). For these, the ridge extends to both edges. I've seen it postulated that examples where the ridge touches both edges are WWII vintage, but I haven't seen this verified. 

 

I haven't seen any examples with WWII dates, so perhaps wartime P-38s are unmarked? Or marked but undated?

Examples that are marked and dated are post-war, as shown in the photo below. 

 

 

This thread is interesting in that the OP says these are original WWII P-38s. Unfortunately there isn't a shot of the front, but the example does have the ridge extending to each side. 

Also, does anyone know how to tell these wrappers are definitely WWII? 

 

 

Some have mentioned that commercial copies (and perhaps only, or especially, modern copies) are poor quality - they bend easily when used. However, the P-38 article above mentions a couple who used a WWII P-38 for 40 years: "We have used these two can openers for the entire duration of our marriage, even though we tried to replace them with new ones several times. You can just imagine the number of cans of all types which we have opened for these 40 years, without a single problem. New openers did not last too long, they worked only a few times, but the [P-38] openers still work like new."

 

Please add any information you might have on how to identify a WWII P-38. 

Wrappers WWII (reportedly).jfif

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Thanks for an interesting read! Still have one of mine from Vietnam that I carried on my key ring for 30 years or so when I got home. It is now safely stored with my other military gear.

[JohnK83882]

My electronic shop teacher from high school was a Vietnam vet and he had a P-38 on his keychain dated 1945, which probably meant a crate of WW2 rations was distributed when he served.

[JohnK83882]

No p-38s in this but check out a color movie of guys in ww2 eating rations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKyO84pYy0c

[gitana]

5 hours ago, JohnK83882 said:

My electronic shop teacher from high school was a Vietnam vet and he had a P-38 on his keychain dated 1945, which probably meant a crate of WW2 rations was distributed when he served.

That would be nice to see, then we'd know that WWII issued can openers were dated. I just can't find any online and don't have one myself. Maybe someone out there has some more examples. 

[JohnK83882]

I googled and sure enough no ww2 dated P-38s are coming up. I can confirm they exist. Maybe dated ones that early are super rare.

[robinb]

The guy standing up is using an EG Waterman knife to eat his rations.

[gunguy45]

If memory serves, the blade needed to be pried open when new, but before long, just flopped open. I served '79-'83.

I have one that I had to "retire" due to the can lip slot losing it's point, & slipping off.

I still have one from my time in service on my key ring.

[gitana]

Thanks, that's something I didn't know.