Description: Original Authentic P38 Can Opener US Military Issue Stamped "US SHELBY CO" If it isn't stamped "US Shelby CO" it's not the real thing In the mid 1980's when the US Military started using MRE's instead of C-rations they still had millions of these P38's in surplus!! FREE SHIPPING ** FREE SHIPPING ** FREE SHIPPING Shipped via USPS First Class Metered Mail The P-38 is known as a "John Wayne" by the United States Marine Corps, because of its toughness and dependability. Another theory for the "John Wayne" name is he used one in the army training film for the can opener to open a can. 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 (see photo). Official military designations for the P-38 include "U.S. 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 Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter plane, which could allude to its fast performance. One explanation for the origin of the name is that the P-38 is approximately 38 millimeters long. However, use of the metric system in the U.S. was not widespread at this point, and United States Army sources indicate that the origin of the name is rooted in the 38 punctures around the circumference of a C-ration can required for opening. P-38s are no longer used for individual rations by the U.S. military, as canned C-rations were replaced by MRE rations in the 1980s, packed in plastic pouches. The original U.S.-contract P-38 can openers were manufactured by J.W. Speaker Corporation of Germantown, Wisconsin (stamped "Speaker USA") and by Washburn Corporation (marked "US Androck"); they were later made by Mallin Shelby Hardware inc (defunct 1973) of Shelby, Ohio and were variously stamped "US Mallin Shelby O." or "U.S. Shelby Co." The US Shelby Co. version is the main one issued by the military. Unlimited List Of UsesBy Steve Wilson, MSG Proponent NCO, Dept. of the ArmyOffice of the Chief of Chaplains, The Pentagon 1. Can Opener 2. Seam Ripper 3. Screwdriver 4. Clean Fingernails 5.Cut Fishing line 6. Open Paint Cans 7. Window scrapper 8. Scrape around floor 9. Digging 10. Clean out grooves on Tupperware lids 11. Reach in and clean out small cracks 12. Scrape around edge of boots 13. Bottle opener 14. Gut Fish (in the field) 15. Scale fish (in the field) 16. Test for "doneness" 17. Prying items 18. Strip wire 19. Scrape pans (in the field) 20. Lift key on flip -top cans 21. Chisel 22. Barter 23. Marking tool 24. Deflating tires 25. Clean sole of Boot/Shoe 26. Pick teeth 27. Measurement 28. Striking Flint 29. Stirring coffee 30. Puncturing plastic coating 31. Knocking on doors 32. Morse Code 33. Box cutter 34. Opening letters 35. Write emergency letters 36. Scratch an itch 37. Save as a souvenir 38. Rip off rank for on-the-spot promotions. I'm sure you can think of 38 more!!! You will receive one (1) NEW P38 Can Opener Easy to use and carry in your pocket or on a key chainThe P38 is 38mm long & 17mm wide (approx. 1½" X 5/8")Takes approx. 38 twists to open a can Great for Camping, Hiking, Hunting, Survival, Bugout & 100"s of other usesA great tool to have in the kitchen or with your gear that has UNLIMITED usesDeveloped in the 1940's for our militaryUsed by our military in WWII, Korea and Vietnam to open C ration or K ration cansFREE USPS First Class Metered Mail Shipping (4-6 days) Visit my store to see all my 60+ military ribbons military bracelets/necklaces/hatbands (including Korea, Vietnam, Kosovo, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan) Veteran and Patriotic Lapel Pins and P38 (John Wayne) and P51 Can Openers I am a 100% Service Connected Disabled Vietnam Veteran just trying to supplement my income I describe the merchandise to the best of my abilities. If you are dissatisfied with your purchase, PLEASE contact me BEFOREleaving negative feedback. I guarantee I can make you happy!
Price: 3.39 USD
Location: Edmond, Oklahoma
End Time: 2024-08-26T14:22:14.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money back or replacement (buyer's choice)
Theme: Militaria
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
