Similar Devices
A similar device that incorporates a small spoon at one end and a bottle opener at the other is currently employed by the Australian Defence Force and New Zealand Army in its ration kits. The Field Ration Eating Device is known by the acronym "FRED". It is also known widely in its derogative term, the "Fucking Ridiculous Eating Device".
Another similar device was included with British Army "Operational Ration Pack, General Purpose" 24-hour ration pack and "Compo" Composite (14 man) Ration pack rations. At one stage they were manufactured by W.P. Warren Engineering Co. Ltd, 79 Alma Street, Birmingham B19 2RL (021-359-2808). The instructions printed on the miniature greaseproof paper bag they were supplied in read:
TO OPEN CAN:
Place opener on the can with rim of can inside the slot. Hold between thumb and forefinger and twist forward to puncture. Repeat motion until can is open.
Their design is similar, but not identical, to the P-38 and P-51 can openers.
The Swedish army also employs a variant of this opener, again very similar but not identical. Official designation is M7481-021000 Konservbrytare Mini which was distributed with the infamous "Golden Cans" (Swedish field rations is packaged in metallic tins with a golden hue).
In 1924, a similar device was featured in Popular Mechanics, with no mention of a military provenance.
An opener similar to P-38, but with a non-folding blade, was popular in Poland for years; it can still be found in shops along the butterfly-type.
Read more about this topic: P-38 Can Opener
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