I think we share the same problem! You can find my question under "General", "MCIs-how old?" Unfortunately there were no replies! I think there were different codes by the main items, the cakes, the fruits and the spreads! But until now I havn´t find the deeper sense, too! In my collection there are about 400 C-Ration cans ! When I have enough time I will write down all codes of the 400 cans and try to find some sense in these numbers! You are right housil, the times the MRE were called C-Rations were really better!!
0056.
Feb. 25th 1980.
would make sence, food made in feb then packed in july?
I am just guessing so please don't take my word on it.
Garron
The C-Ration wasn´t out of the box showen on the first foto. The box is still closed with the plastic wraps around...
Was just to thrill the introduction. (Sorry if I irritate someone).
Did someone ever asked the manufacturers and got a reply?
Hey guys. You know, I kept meaning to answer mreheater72's c-ration question about dates but by the time I got home, I always forgot to check the dates on the cans and cases I have.
I'll try to remember when I get home this weekend. I have some cases from 1974/1978 so I should be able to see how the dates on the cans match up to the dates on the cases.
kman wrote:Hey guys. You know, I kept meaning to answer mreheater72's c-ration question about dates but by the time I got home, I always forgot to check the dates on the cans and cases I have.
I'll try to remember when I get home this weekend. I have some cases from 1974/1978 so I should be able to see how the dates on the cans match up to the dates on the cases.
Well guys, I just checked a bunch of miscellaneous MCI cans that I have in my garage and I'm afraid I don't have any definitive news. On some of the cans (the ones from 1978/79), there was a code that read "2 79" - so I'm pretty sure that meant February, 1979. However, on other cans (maybe the older ones from 1974) there were just miscellaneous 4 and 5 digit codes that I couldn't figure out.
So if I had to guess, I'd guess that sometime in the later 1970s, they started using a new system of datecodes that actually made sense. Before that, however, maybe the codes don't necessarily correspond to dates.
I took a look to some of my C-Rats again. In my opinion there is no uniform line with the stamping in the can lids for dating, I can at least none recognize. The "codes" differ between the main entrees, the fruits, the cakes, the Crackers and the spreads, also with the different manufacturers.
Below some suggestions for dating:
Crackers: e. g. 8 79, 10 79, 8 80: Here I think it’s clear: Month and year.
Peanut Butter and Jams (Kern Foods): (I checked about 50 cans!) e.g. AX 21029, A 30019, D 01059, JX 30070, D 27030. The letters, no idea. With the numbers is like that: The first two successive numbers never exceed the value of 31, therefore it must be the day of the month. The second two successive numbers never exceed the value 12, therefore it must be the month. The last number is by all cans I own, always 8, 9 or 0. I think that stands for 1978, 1979 and 1980. This is in agreement with all my Cracker cans, they are from 1978, 1979 and 1980. E.g. AX 21029: 21. February 1979
Jam, Grape (Baumer Foods): XJ 4: No idea!
Cheese Spread Cheddar Hickory Smoke (Real Fresh): 9223: According to the dating of MREs, the 223. day of 1979???
Beef Steak with Gravy (Blue Star Foods): 0031: According to the dating of MREs, the 31. day of 1980???
Turkey Loaf (Tony Downs Foods): 139: No idea!
Ham and Eggs Chopped (Tony Downs Foods): 810: No idea!
Applesauce (Coast Counties Can): e.g. K220C, K150C, X280C: No idea!
Fruit Cocktail (California Canners and Growers): FLB4N 8824 L: No idea!
Sliced Peaches (California Canners and Growers): FYS3G 8819 L: No idea!
All in all: Dating C-Rat cans with the stamping in the lids is simply not possible in every case!!
I think there were different codes by the main items, the cakes, the fruits and the spreads! But until now I havn´t find the deeper sense, too! In my collection there are about 400 C-Ration cans 
! When I have enough time I will write down all codes of the 400 cans and try to find some sense in these numbers! You are right housil, the times the MRE were called C-Rations were really better!!
