1959 MCI Meal, Combat, Individual Case

[steve1989]

Picked up a case of 1959 MCIs. After tax, it cost $3,267.

It seems to be a worthwhile gamble, as this case has solid weight to it. Haven't checked it yet, but I'm guessing it's only a couple pounds light. Dropping out slight rust. Perhaps this is a rusted out fruit or two. It's a double layer case, as opposed to a 1960-1980's single layer, and that same shape running with MRE until 1994.

This is your first gen of the MCI. Were there 1958's and I'm mistaken, though? I know Ration, Combat, Individual, Meal-Type was a prototype produced back in 1955, and were kinda odd. 4 acc packet boxes, each with a 20ct pack of smokes, 2 packs of matches, and a single TP. Then 12 Individual meal boxes. 6 meals on one side of the case, 3x3, 4 acc boxes in the middle, 2x2, then 6 more meals stacked on the other side, 3x3.

This had to be a bit clumsy and there would likely be a soldier or two who'd be missing out on smokes and TP if this was dispensed at night or in the middle of action. Grabbing whatever outta the case, hoping to get what you actually need. Just a theory at least.


Didn't MREheater72 score a super nice lookin 1959 like 15 years ago? Man I think I remember this.. gotta dig on back.
I hope he sees this!

Anyway, I got this recently and an 1899 US Standard Emergency Ration last year. Pemmican and sweetened compressed tea tablets. That was used in the Philippines and was deemed too rich of food in the tropic heat, but better than nothing at all. Or even worse, the measley rotten field kitchen rations and dirty mess kits that were utilized during the Santiago Campaign during the Spanish American War, which led to more casualties due to dysentery than any guys actually getting wounded in combat.

That's another upcoming post though.

Will report back shortly with some photos of inside. Wish me luck! Hehe

[texrdnec]

can't wait to see inside, awesome piece of ration history you picked up

[Fallout420]

So it was you who got those eh, I was watching them until they hit $2000 and then I was out haha. Glad you're the one who ended up with it, very interested as to what's inside!

[steve1989]

Was a heck of a bidding duel at the end. Ebay took 1 minute to determine the winner and I'd figured it was a loss. That was a long minute.

It feels like a nice case. Gotta open it asap now since everyone is waiting.

Update to Frigid Trail Ration as well, since I'm here.

It's getting edited in September. Set it to the back burner. Looking for intro photos. Only got like 3 or 4. Then I'm back over here with some pretty cool stock photos after the review is published.


The 1959 MCIs. I might sell one or two. Trade a couple. All depends.
If they're like Ration, Combat, Individual... the case might only have 2 or 3 of the 12 intact. I had an excellent condition RCI case once... only two were okay. Then another... only one was lookin good outta the 6. So who knows.

[Fallout420]

Hopefully the case is mostly intact, that excitement of opening a sealed case is worth the money spent. I was able to obtain and open a sealed case of 1968 MCI’s a few years back, and I think 10 of the 12 were great, so you really never know! Hoping for the best, but interested to see inside regardless of the condition. Savor the moment and enjoy it, you might be the last person to open a sealed case from 1959!

[ChowLine]

I was wondering if it was you who nabbed this case! Glad to see you got it. I happen to have a mint condition 1959 produced MCI. I got it off ebay a couple years ago, and have never posted photos of it. I'll have to get some posted here.

[steve1989]

I was wondering if it was you who nabbed this case! Glad to see you got it. I happen to have a mint condition 1959 produced MCI. I got it off ebay a couple years ago, and have never posted photos of it. I'll have to get some posted here.

Thanks man! I'm saving the empty case for you so you can possibly recreate it. Then museums can get the repros for display. Weird shape... taller than RCI, more compact overall though. Took pics on my phone - gotta reduce them.

Glad you got a 1959, that's amazing.

OK be right back with pics.

[steve1989]

Okay, so it's the same height as an RCI case after all.

[steve1989]

Hopefully the case is mostly intact, that excitement of opening a sealed case is worth the money spent. I was able to obtain and open a sealed case of 1968 MCI’s a few years back, and I think 10 of the 12 were great, so you really never know! Hoping for the best, but interested to see inside regardless of the condition. Savor the moment and enjoy it, you might be the last person to open a sealed case from 1959!

Thanks dude! I'm hoping it has a few good ones left in there. Ah nice, a 1968 case. That's a good year. My favorite case of MCIs is probably 1966. Oldsmokey helped me find one once - came outta Colorado. Lady mis-addressed his 3 single ones... he never got em which totally sucked. Those were fun times.. 2017! Kinda crazy times too, ate way too many rations and not enough fresh food that year. Not enough sleep and too many hours editing on the computer. What a time.

[ChowLine]

Here is my contribution. Aside from the soluble coffee, this meal is a complete mint 1959 production MCI in my collection. Someone years ago had the good foresight to open the M unit which kept it from corroding and ruining anything else.