Need help identifying B-Unit can

Post by **kman** » Tue May 13, 2008 4:38 pm

Someone emailed me asking for help with identifying some B-Unit cans. They write:

I have a few B-unit cans and I don't know when they are from. I think they are from early C-rations but I am not sure. They also appear to be Korean War dated. They have the old style of opening them with the key, but are small 6oz cans.

I'm guessing they're at least 1965 (based on the "5 52" datecode on one can) but I suppose they could be from 1955. What do you guys think?

Lt turtle · Post by **Lt turtle** » Tue May 13, 2008 8:43 pm

Hi,
I have old NATICK summary of rations, and I find some information about
this can.

This canned B-unit is named part of (Ration,Individual,Combat)
and it is issed post WW2 and Korean periods.

Specifaction : MIL-R-1540
FSN : 56-R-9875-C Ration; 8970-242-8202-Ration, Individual,Combat

Ration, Individual,Combat contained three meat components, Two B Units
One canned fruit, dessert unit, cocoa, accessory carton containing soluble
beverages, suger, cream, soup and cigarettes, matches, paper, gum.

B-Unit contents
B-1 : Crackers(5), Cocoa, Jam
B-2 : Crackers(5), Candy, Jam

Ration, Individual,Combat is repaced by (Meal,Combat,Individual) on 1961.

Also, check my website (sorry, but mostry Japanese)

http://rationworld.web.fc2.com/usa/mci2.html

Post by **kman** » Wed May 14, 2008 10:13 am

Thanks, Lt turtle! That B-Unit from 1952 on your page looks just like the ones in the pictures above.

mreheater72 · Post by **mreheater72** » Thu May 15, 2008 2:03 pm

Some of those B-Units were sold in Ebay the last weeks!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... %26fvi%3D1

Here the ration is called "FOOD PACKET INDIVIDUAL ASSAULT"

So long mreheater72