4 - Original Shelby Co US Military P-51 Can Opener

Description: 4 - NEW Original Shelby Co US Military P-51 Can Opener - Made in USA About this item:You will receive 4 brand new P-51 openersMade in the USAStainless Steel ConstructionWeight: .3 oz.Multi-use Tool (see list below)P-51 Can Opener History and InformationOPENER, CAN, HAND, FOLDING, TYPE IIP-51 CAN OPENER"John Wayne"The P-51 can opener is the "big" brother of the P-38 can opener. Many an "expert", has espoused as "fact" that the government never issued a P-51 can opener and that the P-51 was some aftermarket creation of the manufacturer to sell more can openers. To dispel any confusion and to set the record straight about the P-51 can opener - the P-51 is in fact an official Government Issue item. The P-51 was conceived, designed and produced shortly after the introduction of the P-38 can opener. The P-51 can opener is still in the military inventory and is currently assigned NSN 7330-01-289-8827. The P-51 is somewhat obscure and elusive because military Mobile Kitchen Trailers (MKT) are currently issued a counter top mounted, hand crank, rotary, can opener and a Opener, Can, Hand, For Tray Packs and Round Cans (A-A-52202) as standard issue.This can opener was designed to open larger cans such a commercial No.10 institutional food can with a lid diameter of 6-3/16 inches and food tray packs and T-Rats that are used in Mobile Field Kitchens (MKT) and mess halls.Much like the P-38 can opener, the P-51 derived it's name from the fact that it took approximately 51 twists to sever the lid from a commercial No. 10 can.(Above Credit: DogTagsRus dot com and Georgia-Outfitters where more information can be found.)(Below Credit: Defense Media Network dot com, Article on Sept. 16, 2023 by Robert F. Dorr and Fred L. Borch entitled "The P-38 Pocket Can Opener Was an Army and Marine Icon.)Here's one for you!Although “Opener, Can, Hand, Folding” is its official Army nomenclature, it soon acquired the popular name P-38.However, historians disagree as to which of three theories explains the moniker. One is that soldiers called it the P-38 because it could open a can faster than the P-38 Lightning fighter plane could fly. 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). It also is possible that “38” was the number of punches (a “P” word) it took to open a ration can. All experts agree that P-38 did not derive its name from the Walther P-38 pistol used by the German military in World War II.43 Uses for the P-38 & P-51 Can Openerscan opener (duh!)all-purpose toothpickfingernail cleanersplinter removerflat-head screwdriver – use one of the endsphillips-head screwdriver – use one of the cornersbottle openerbox cutterletter openerchiselstirrerneck slasher (women used to carry to use in case of attack)seam rippercut fishing lineopen paint canswindow scraperscrape around floor cornersdiggingclean out groove on Tupperware lidsreach in and clean out small cracksscrape around edge of boots{in the field} gut fish{in the field} scale fishtest for “doneness” when baking on a camp fireprying itemsstrip wirescrape pans in the fieldlift key on flip top cansbartermarking tooldeflating tiresmeasurementstriking flintpuncturing plastic coatingknocking on doorsMorse Codewrite emergency messagesscratch an itchsave as a souvenirrip off rank for on the spot promotioncarburetor repair toolbee sting removal tool (scrape off w/ blade)knife sharpenerShips in one day or less.

Price: 6.99 USD

Location: Salem, South Carolina

End Time: 2023-12-18T18:16:05.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD