Vets/Active Duty: Can you ID this?

[DEGuy]

Many U.S. GIs knew this tool as the indispensable...

All you guys who did a hitch or two for Uncle Sam, can you ID this indispensable tool? It's been a while, second half of 1960s, since I've seen or used one of these. I don't know if they are 'issued' these days. But back in the day they were common to those of us who served overseas. This small yet capable tool brought back a rush of memories for me. We used them to open cans, strip wire, as a screwdriver, scraper, and for cutting into damn near anything. They were a GI's Leatherman tool of their time. This tool goes back to ~1942; it was developed for the troops who served in WWII. These continue to be manufactured.

 

[Tiny_MN]

P-38 can opener. Long before my time...

 

[DEGuy]

That's it! P-38.

 

[rebos]

Right on. I'd like to see it in action.

 

[Vickers]

Right on. I'd like to see it in action.

PM me your address and I'll send you one.

I'll include a P-51, which is the larger version of the P-38.

 

[chibi]

Cool. I remember those in my kitchen when I was a kid. Don't know why we used them but I guess we thought they were cool when dad brought them back from exercise.

 

[Ron991]

gi's best friend....

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

I'm all good. I'll stick to my leatherman.

 

[BBrad]

My father was a "lifer" who said the P-38 was the most valuable tool the army ever had . . .

I found out why when I was in Basic Training and hungry enough to actually want C-Rations at lunch time in the field!

I kept the first P-38 I could get my hands on in Basic . . . later I carried it on my key ring until it wore through and broke apart. It was handy as hell - more than just a can opener!

I keep my eyes open in antique shops and yard sales . . . but have never been lucky enough to find another one!

 

[TheVez2]

Go to an Army Surplus store. They have boxes of them. I recently bought a couple P-38s and a couple P-51s for less than $1 each.

 

[Graybeard57]

Very useful tool. With a little practice they cut thru a can like butter.

 

[dpm802]

I keep my eyes open in antique shops and yard sales . . . but have never been lucky enough to find another one!

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...ld-keywords=p38+can+opener&sprefix=p3,aps,467

 

[The Nid Hog]

It's a John Wayne. Everybody should have one in their pocket.

 

[cdhumiston]

Best thing that ever came in a pack of C-Rations! The mystery meats were disgusting!

 

[TheVez2]

Here's mine:

 

[jumper]

Used to open up a can of pound cake. Yummo

 

[bmharold]

Biggest pain in the *** tool ever. I personally have never seen one issued, and I always use the tool on my Leatherman wave when the occasion called for it. I imagine that's the route everyone goes these days.

 

[Ton Eighty]

I used to have one on my keychain, but I keep my keys in my front pocket. One good jab in the giblets and I relegated it to camping supplies storage.

 

[Ron991]

Used to open up a can of pound cake. Yummo

And Peaches. It didn't get any better!

 

[Sullybob]

It's a John Wayne. Everybody should have one in their pocket.

Absolutely!