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I came across this while checking out some thing on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/WWII-US-ARMY-K-rati ... 0758216611

WOW! It went for over $200.00. That is one expensive ration.

Not surprised really. It is the first "MRE", using 3 seperate boxed meals. Its a must have for any serious small museum -type collection. Actually its good that such a historical type is still so affordable, if you have a hundred and something quid to spare

And it seems to be of a mid-war type, 43-44.

There is a breakfast unit up now. Same age/type. $99.99 so far.

If you keep an eye on eBay these are for sale regularly. I have a breakfast, dinner and supper k ration from 43 (color print patters on the outer boxes) that I snagged there last year. It was a bit pricey for the unopened set but I got the thrill of opening them myself and taking pictures of the process. I know it's probably blasphemy but I even smoked a Camel from 1943 just to be able to say I did.

Do you mean the brown, blue and green camouflage- like patterns? They are the late type "morale" K boxes, from 45.

You smoked a cig from a K?

Ruleryak -

I bet that cig tasted like nearly 70 year old pencil shavings

I ran out of smokes once and ended up digging into the only source I had at the time, a '68-dated case of MCI's

The only WWII-era ration component I have is a Bread Unit, still sealed with the SPAM key on the bottom. I believe it's dated '42 or '43 and is brushed steel, not the gold tone lacquer finish.

I'll get a pic of it up asap....

biscuits brown wrote:Do you mean the brown, blue and green camouflage- like patterns? They are the late type "morale" K boxes, from 45.

You smoked a cig from a K?

Yessir I did! The set of K's I have is indeed the morale set and if I'm not mistaken they came out in late 44 - I was definitely wrong when I said 43 - could still be 45 though. The Camels were still shrink-wrapped although it had turned to pretty dark yellow. All I have to say on the negative side was that it tasted a bit stale, like you found it in an old pack under the seat in your car from a month or so ago. It was completely smokeable and not in the least crumbly or powdery. I hadn't had a cigarette in years so the nicotine really hit me like a train.

I've got MCI cigs and some older packs here and there but I never was in the right mind to actually go for one until just a few weeks ago when I had that Camel.

Ruleryak wrote:

biscuits brown wrote:Do you mean the brown, blue and green camouflage- like patterns? They are the late type "morale" K boxes, from 45.

You smoked a cig from a K?

Yessir I did! The set of K's I have is indeed the morale set and if I'm not mistaken they came out in late 44 - I was definitely wrong when I said 43 - could still be 45 though. The Camels were still shrink-wrapped although it had turned to pretty dark yellow. All I have to say on the negative side was that it tasted a bit stale, like you found it in an old pack under the seat in your car from a month or so ago. It was completely smokeable and not in the least crumbly or powdery. I hadn't had a cigarette in years so the nicotine really hit me like a train.

I've got MCI cigs and some older packs here and there but I never was in the right mind to actually go for one until just a few weeks ago when I had that Camel.

You now have the distinction of being the forum member who has consumed the oldest ration item
Respect

biscuits brown wrote: You now have the distinction of being the forum member who has consumed the oldest ration item
Respect

No way, really?! If that's really the case you have no idea how proud I'd actually be of that fact I do have a ration goal though that would more than double that - one day, I will find, verify, purchase and eat a civil war hard tack biscuit. I had the chance a few years ago and missed it just barely, here's hoping some day I find another well preserved, museum kept one that looks digestible!

Sorry for the bad drunkenly taken cell phone pics but there it is!