Stamped Out

P-51 Can Openers

The military realized that they needed a bigger opener than the P-38 for the kitchen staff that were responsible for opening the larger cans that could feed more people. The military developed the P-51 for that purpose.

To purchase a P-51 Can opener for only $1.00, please go to Stamped Out's Catalog here.

Official Nomenclature:
Opener, Can, Hand, Folding    Pre-1988 nomenclature
Opener, Can, Hand, Folding, Type II    Post-1988 nomenclature

National Stock Number:
7330-01-289-8827
Click here to help figure out what this means.

Intended Use:
Type II (P-51) can opener is intended for use by military personnel in the field to open military tray pack and round can components (Commercial No. 10 cans) of the 36-soldier Tray Pack Meal Modules.

Blade Hardness:
Rockwell Hardness 47-55

Military Specification: Date of Spec. PDF Available (click to view)
A-A-52203  06 June 1996

 

Military Drawing: Date of Drawing. PDF Available (click to view)
42 13 42
5-13-4260

 

The P-51 can opener is slowly getting phased out due to the new Meal, Ready to Eat (MRE) and the Mobile Kitchen Trailer (MKT).  In a MRE the food is packaged in plastic bags that do not require the use of a can opener and the MKT has an Opener, Can, Hand, For Tray Packs and Round Cans (Military Specification A-A-52202) as standard issue.
 

If you have a specific question that is not answered in this information area, please contact us.