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Hi guys,

here my latest ebay-trade: A can with 1 LBS. BEEF PATTIES, DEHYDRATED, UNCOOKED processed and packed by WORNICK FAMILY FOODS COMPANY in excellent condition , no rust, no dents, nearly no scratches. The ebay seller mentioned because of the stamp on the lid 1060 that the can is from October 1960, but I don´t think so, I guess it is younger, maybe late seventies or early eighties. What do you think?

Here a couple of pics, two of them show the BEEF PATTIES can in comparison to a usual flat MCI can:










So long mreheater72

wouldn't that be

1961
1971
1981

??

Great catch!!
I agree that it wasn´t 1960. Remember I have that Chilli can with a similar stamp? Also dont know how old it is.

Its not impossible guys. Remember that 1951 C6 accessories can was in amazing condition Hagen?

I remember a guy had dehydrated pork and beef steaks in cans he reviewed, but they were later it seemed.
I dont recall if he discussed dates but they were on the market as surplus recently so they must have been "new". Maybe 90s.

Wasnt this stuff a little more "upmarket" than the Bs? He said that the dehydrated stuff was for govt civilian bunkers and the like.

It may be 60s, especially as the cans hold gas sealed dehydrated stuff, and if just left in a cool dark corner the can would be as new? Just some thought.

Great find again! All the Presidents Dinners!

It is really very hard to date that vintage group rations, no matter of the colour, whether it is olive green or silver. I not sure whether the Julian system works here

So long mreheater72

Do anyone know when the first time the stamp

U.S. INSPECTED AND PASSED BY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

appears on rations?

Perhaps that could help by dating them

So long mreheater72

Ok.

The can is no earlier than 1976. I think its anytime after 1980

Ronald C Wornick bought out the company he was with in 1976, and renamed it Wornick. Any item marked Warnick cant be dated before 1976.

Wornick family foods still seems to exist, so Im assuming its sub brand of Wornick? But not for military contracts?
I still like the idea its for emergency civilian government bunkers and facilities. The whole instructions and concept of the can was the same as the guys review (cant find thread) and he said the source he got them from had said that.

I think Wornick has now gone to exclusively retort and UGR type packaging, so this might be a 80s can?

Ronald C Warnick is a very interesting guy.

Simon, thanks a lot for your research ! "Anytime after 1980" sounds good to me, I´m sure you are right.

I found a pouch of freeze dried MRE STRAWBERRIES in my collection also packed by WORNICK FAMILY FOODS, see the photo:


So long mreheater72

mreheater72 wrote:Do anyone know when the first time the stamp

U.S. INSPECTED AND PASSED BY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

appears on rations?

Perhaps that could help by dating them

So long mreheater72

Good thinking Hagen, but the the USDA stamp goes back to the 40s so its no help in dating to anything we would see.
Notice the USDA round stamps on the tops of these improved C ration cans, july 1944. The accessory cans are not USDA stamped.



its crazy this different dating system. Only way is to email the company to ask.

This different dating makes me think its not military contracts. Federal government installation rations?

I'd venture a guess and say probably between 1980 and 1989. I do remember coming into the service and having to spend some time in a dining facility and seeing nothing but commercial sliver and colorful cans in the pantry and food prep areas. That and during my time I've never per se seen a OD color can like what you have.

Also what about the number "4321" beneath the "1060" could that be a indication? 4321 might mean sometime in 1984 since we guessing?