British Army issue Tin opener (the one found in the old tin rations 1980’s)

[TarHeelBrit]

I just saw these on ebay and wonder if they're any good. As I'm always looking to add new mil can openers to my small collection I might just go and buy some.

 

[MikeLA]

Those look like copies so you could face the problem Ive had with them.

 

[wheelnut]

Its has no markings at all. Got it from a ratpack during my Cadet days in the early 80s.

Maybe the cadet ones were different from army issued ration packs.

Just checked the one in the survival box and that one has:
129-9982 BAW 'Broadarrow' 1979

So the other way round to my keyring one:
1979 - W.P.W 'Broadarrow' 129 - 9982

and also the stamping is on the blade side rather than the 'flat' side.

 

[santaman2000]

Maybe the cadet ones were different from army issued ration packs.

Just checked the one in the survival box and that one has:
129-9982 BAW 'Broadarrow' 1979

So the other way round to my keyring one:
1979 - W.P.W 'Broadarrow' 129 - 9982

and also the stamping is on the blade side rather than the 'flat' side.

Might it be possible that they were made/supplied by various different contractors over the years? I know the issue P38s never had markings when I was still getting C-rats back before MREs.

 

[TarHeelBrit]

Those look like copies so you could face the problem Ive had with them.

That's okay if they're copies as they will be for display only. I have a bunch of Shelby P-38's, P-51's and Aussie FREDS that are usable. Yes I'm a self confessed Military can opener anorak. I used to have them mounted to a cork board but broke it up for the move.

 

[kard133]

British Army issue Tin opener (the one found in the old tin rations 1980’s)


Lost mine -had for years, desperate to find another.
Unbelievably a highlander one bought was so blunt and useless it couldn’t piece the tin.

A copy GI one by Mil Com, the metal bent in my hand on the first tin I tried to open

(just as well I tried these at home as out on a hill walk would be bad).

HELP any idea where I can buy an original Rat pack one?

http://www.endicotts.co.uk/news/item/162-just-arrived-geunuine-old-skool-british

 

[Cub Kaa]

Sorry posted something in wrong thread .

 

[wheelnut]

Might it be possible that they were made/supplied by various different contractors over the years? I know the issue P38s never had markings when I was still getting C-rats back before MREs.

Entirely possible, usually though official army stuff would have the MOD spec number printed or stamped into it.

 

[tsitenha]

Get a Shelby P-51, had one that I gave away that had opened up about 10,000 cans (yes it did, was used by my whole crew) over 32yrs.

 

[Riven]

Just a thought but the one in the ratpack I was issued as a cadet was in 1982 shortly after the Falklands War (now known as a conflict). Perhaps they were running a bit short back then and using several suppliers.
Riven.

 

[Seasick Stan]

Still got mine, had it in my wallet for 41 years. I got it out of a 10 man ration pack in 1974 and it is stainless steel. The tin openers in 4 man ration packs were made of a softer alloy.

It is stamped with R&C1 1966 KF6314. So it is a 1966 issue tin opener. Hope the ration pack hadn't been packed in 1966.

 

[wheelnut]

Just a thought but the one in the ratpack I was issued as a cadet was in 1982 shortly after the Falklands War (now known as a conflict). Perhaps they were running a bit short back then and using several suppliers.
Riven.

could also have been an issue of cost, stamped as opposed to unstamped.

 

[AussieVic]

There are a few sellers of FREDs on ebay.

Do a search for "FRED army" and a few will turn up (no affiliation)

I've had some for decades and they are still going strong.

The longer handle giver better leverage making cans easier to open.
The bottle opener can be used as a small flat blade screwdriver and
the tool can be used as a small "pry bar" for all sorts of tasks (obviously its not a real pry bar, but just a handy small piece of metal)