K Ration How To - Cans
Written: 9/14/2010
Author: Dave Lammert
Applicable Spec - CQD 20 E - Meat and Cheese
PDFs:
We're still utilizing cans of Chicken or Ham, as nothing better has come along in the right size. The cans should be either unpainted or OD depending on period of ration you want to do. OD is late-ish, with unpainted or gold tone being early to mid.
There are a number of methods to marking the tops of the cans. Printing out a paper disc to glue ontop, decals and stamps seem to be the most popular methods. We had some rubber stamps made to mark can tops - but it doesnt work particularly well.
Sleeve for 5 oz. Can:
Make sure that you measure the can before you make the sleeves. I found out that the height of cans can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.The sleeve is 11” x 3 3/8”. The sleeve could be a little shorter than 11” but I got tired of cutting a half inch off of the end. The overlap is just longer. I used the same weight chipboard as the matches.
The sleeve is folded around the can which is 1 ½” x 3 3/8”. I used a straight edge and a scoring tool (I used a butter knife) to make the fold lines. The first fold line is 1 ½” from the narrow edge. The second fold is 3 3/8” from the first fold. The third fold is 1 ½” from the second. The forth fold is 3 3/8” from the third fold. The remaining is about 1 ½”.
Next you make two triangular cuts along the inner fold lines. The triangle is 1” from the fold line and 1 ¼” up the fold line.
