The P-38, and the P-51, you do have one of these on your keychain, right?

transmaster

transmaster

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Since these are used as can openers, this seems like the place to put this. The P-38 started production in 1942, and the P-51 started production in 1944. Nobody really knows how they got their names. The P-38 was included in the "C" and "K" rations. You don't hear much about the P-51 until about 1962, in the early days of the Vietnam War. It was included in ration packs designed to feed a squad. I was around before MRE's, and I had "C" rations, my favorite was the chicken/turkey unit. I didn't pay any attention, but now I realize that the P-38 and the P-51 were both in "C" rats. I remember preferring the P-38 over the larger P-51 because of the way it fits on a key ring. Note the position of the hole for the keyring. The P-51 was down below the blade, In your pocket, the blade would open, catching and sometimes tearing the inside of your pants pocket. the P-38 didn't do this. This is no longer an issue because I don't put keys in my pockets anymore. Both the P-38 and the P-51 have been in continuous production since WWII. The latest set of P-51s I purchased are made with stainless steel, which is very nice. I compared the can opener on My Leatherman's with the P-51, the venerable P-51 rules. Even the smaller P-38 is better.

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Absolutely, since I've had keys, my father's Vietnam era P-38 has rode on the key ring. TSA tried to confiscate it around 9-11, I laughed and said no way, volunteering to call over national guardsmen to explain what it is. Agent just said to go away - not chance he was stealing it from me.

This is an old picture, only the SAK is still there too.

^9mm does not fit on the key ring, holstered right hip IWB.
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Not on my keyring(s). Too much stuff on them already - too many keys.
 
I just learned a very interesting thing about my new SS P-51s. I tried out one of the new stainless steel P-51, and they are junk, they do not hook up to the edge of the can. I pulled out one of my old ones, and I instantly spotted what was wrong. I also learned that the old one was made by U.S. SHELBY CO. They are still making them. I can correct the problem with the SS P-51 with a needle file. I ordered OEM P-38s and P-51s from the embedded link above. They are cheaper there than at Amazon. I learned something very interesting. People are purchasing the P-38s, and P-51s to hand out to the homeless. Never thought that having an easy-to-carry can opener would be a good thing for such a person.
 
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transmaster said:
I just learned a very interesting thing about my new SS P-51s. I tried out one of the new stainless steel P-51, and they are junk, they do not hook up to the edge of the can. I pulled out one of my old ones, and I instantly spotted what was wrong. I also learned that the old one was made by U.S. SHELBY CO. They are still making them. I can correct the problem with the SS P-51 with a needle file. I ordered OEM P-38s and P-51s from the embedded link above. They are cheaper there than at Amazon. I learned something very interesting. People are purchasing the P-38s, and P-51s to hand out to the homeless. Never thought that having an easy-to-carry can opener would be a good thing for such a person.

The knock off SS-P-51

View attachment 2768954

The real deal, U.S. SHELBY CO. P-51
View attachment 2768951
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Are the knockoffs marked U.S. Shelby? Although I already had some P-38s I decided to get some more along with some P-51s. I found a seller who is offering 20 - 10 of each - for less than $20, and they are all marked U.S. Shelby.
 
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Interesting history: Mallin Shelby Hardware Inc. manufactured the P-38 and the P-51 until it closed in 1973. The MRE was introduced in 1975.
 
Not sure where you found that the P-51 started in 1944? According to the Shelby Company that made both the P-38 and the P-51 the names come from the fact that the handles are 38mm and 51 mm long. I enlisted in Feb 1961 and never saw a P51 until the late 1970's or early 1980's.. When doing testing with the Human Engineering Laboratory one of their developers asked me why they had made the P-51? I did not know. According to him, many women who were now coming into the Army did not have the hand strength to open a C-ration can with a P-38. The longer P-51 gave them more leverage and made it easier for them to open C-ration cans. The MRE's were first issued in the U.S Army in 1981, and then were not common. We were supposed to get MRE's for a Flintlock Exercise in April 1982, but they did not arrive in time for us to get them. I am sure about the April 1982, as that was the year that SFC Cliff Stickland was killed during a Fulton Recovery Mission in Germany (RIP). John
PS: The MRE's were Adopted in 1975, first test production was not until 1978, and then first issued in 1981. Why they were adopted and it took 6 years to actually field them?
 
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Many years ago, we were at my BIL's for Thanksgiving. He had to open some cans but discovered that they didn't have a can opener. Glad I had my P-38 with me.
 
transmaster said:
People are purchasing the P-38s, and P-51s to hand out to the homeless. Never thought that having an easy-to-carry can opener would be a good thing for such a person.
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Thx for raising this point.

The same as for other folks, the minimal physical format of the military can opener makes it easy for homeless folks to pack. This is particularly the case for someone who keeps all their personal possessions either on their body or in a minimal conveyance (think shopping cart) and both weight & space are at a high premium. One reason specific to the homeless (those not living in a vehicle, which affords much more carrying capacity), may be if they get food commodities from a community food shelf or church pantry some of the food they get could be in cans, hence the need for a can opener so they can eat. While plier-handled kitchen can openers are much easier & efficient to use, the increase in bulk & weight work against them being the opener of choice on the street.

The downside I note is the finger strength required to operate the very short lever arm of the P-XX military can openers, as others said. This could be exacerbated if the homeless person was in a very cold environment that compromised manual dexterity and tactile sensitivity.
 
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