WW2 US Army Rations Can Opener

The WW2 US Army Rations Can Opener is a compact metal tool issued to American military personnel during the Second World War. Commonly known as the “P-38” or “John Wayne” can opener, this item was designed for opening canned field rations, such as C-rations, carried by soldiers. The can opener measures approximately 1.5 inches in length, featuring a swinging cutting blade attached to a flat handle. Its small size allowed for convenient storage, often on a dog tag chain or in a pocket. Manufactured from durable steel, the tool is marked with a simple blade and notched edge for grip. Its straightforward mechanism made it reliable and suitable for use under adverse conditions. The WW2 US Army Rations Can Opener remains a notable example of practical military ingenuity and is of interest to collectors of field gear and military equipment from the WWII era.