1959 MCI Meal, Combat, Individual Case
Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2023 4:46 pm
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
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