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SFC_Jeff_Button

Hello to all again. It's been a while since I've been on here but so goes the life of a military soldier, father of two sons in sports, and the husband of a wife and household. I have acquired a Mermite Can for food transport. On the side it says te following;
Swartzbaugh MFG CO.
US
Toledo, Ohio 1948

I was told these were formally called the M1944, (Nomenclature). I was also told these first originated in 1948, which would make this one of the first made. However I can not find any sites / information on these. Can anyone help?
By the way, part of the reason for my absense has been my work on restoring my 14 year old sons 1974 Dodge Dart Swinger. This is our father / son project for the next year and a half till he turns 16. No Honda 4 cylinder for him. I wanted a muscle car of sorts for him. We've had it for two months now and it has consumed us, haha.

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ddoyle · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Nov 12, 2008 Posts: 61

I've got an article on these somewhere around here - if no one comes up with the answer by tomorrow morning - I'll find the info an post it here.

Best wishes,
David

JG300-Ascout

- SFC_Jeff_Button

Hello to all again. It's been a while since I've been on here but so goes the life of a military soldier, father of two sons in sports, and the husband of a wife and household. I have acquired a Mermite Can for food transport. On the side it says te following;
Swartzbaugh MFG CO.
US
Toledo, Ohio 1948

I was told these were formally called the M1944, (Nomenclature). I was also told these first originated in 1948, which would make this one of the first made. However I can not find any sites / information on these. Can anyone help?
By the way, part of the reason for my absense has been my work on restoring my 14 year old sons 1974 Dodge Dart Swinger. This is our father / son project for the next year and a half till he turns 16. No Honda 4 cylinder for him. I wanted a muscle car of sorts for him. We've had it for two months now and it has consumed us, haha.

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Had many a meal out of those, Jeff, but don't recall those insertable tins. Good luck with that.

BTW, that Dart Swinger should accept a 360" and there might be a provision for a 383 to fit, unless you feel that's "too much". Wink

I'm not a MOPAR guy, but those were the closest they made to a Chevy II. Nice size/weight for decent performance. Crate motor business ought to be able to help with something.

Dontos

Hey Jeff

Nice project car!

Funny how those mermites have not changed in all these years.

At least those look like the ones I remember from my early years. I (like most others in uniform..) served my time in the BSA field kitchen numerous times. I've washed them as KP, and filled them with the standard assortment of food items while assisting at the field 'kitchen'.

Of course, there are the many times acting as 'server' for my unit.

Of course, in more recent times, the mermites have changed with the times, making the old style less common.

...and my wife acuses me of collecting bizarre stuff!!

Regards
Don

Joe_D

Long time no hear from Jeff,

Glad to know all is well.

Mermites, Sounds like some sorta affliction you catch after spending a night down range Laughing

Never thought I'd miss them until we went T-RATS and UGR's . Food may have been cold when it arrived but at least it was available and the coffee was real made with grounds, not that liquid concentrate junk.

Never was a MOPAR man, but like Ascout says, a lot of potential there. Better get them antique tags though, it'll save you some serious bucks along with the collector car insurance. Mine cost 20 bucks and lasts the lifetime of the vehicle (No Renewal), although I'm limited to 5000 miles a year. Not that I've been even close to doing that.

Joe D

armyjunk2 · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Sep 22, 2006 Posts: 1416

Jeff, Google "Mermite Can"

MarkHolloway

I remember the tin inserts. I think they were used when only feeding a few people. You could have three or four foods in one Mermite.

The car appears green. You can name it "Mermite Can" cuz it's hot stuff! Wink

ddoyle · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Nov 12, 2008 Posts: 61

From my 2003 article - still looking for the other article with dates in it:

Mermite cans
Copyright 2003, David Doyle

The mermite can is made up of an inner aluminum shell, surrounded by an outer shell. The space between these two shells is filled during the manufacturing process with formed in place foam having a density of 1.8 pounds per cubic foot. This makes for a container that will maintain the temperature of the foods placed inside for a minimum of three hours. This is commensurate with the intended use of the food container to transport prepared foods from the kitchen to troops in the field.

The can was supplied with three removable interior containers, which each had a fitted lid sealed with a rubber gasket. Each interior container had a bale to aid in its removal.

When the can is going to be used to transport hot foods, the inserts are removed, and two quarts of boiling water poured inside the mermite can, then the inserts are replaced and the cover latched. After 30 minutes the inserts are again removed, and the hot water poured out. Hot foods are placed in the inserts, their lids installed and the inserts placed back in the can. The latches are secured diagonally on the mermite can.

If the can is to be used to transport cold foods, much the same procedure is used. However, instead of filling the can with two quarts of boiling water, the can is filled with ice, or two quarts of ice water. Obviously, both cold and hot foods can be placed in the mermite can at the same time.

After use the inner containers should be hand washed, and the gaskets removed from their lids and also hand washed. The gaskets should be reinstalled before drying. The can itself should also be hand washed. Do not submerge the can when cleaning, as it would be possible for a slight leak to cause the insulation to become water logged.

Appearance of these cans was quite important evidently, with no less than three different PS Magazine articles being published on the subject of repainting. The proper color is X24087 semi gloss olive drab. During manufacture, decals were placed on top of the lid giving operational instructions. These decals were available through supply channels so that repainted cans could be properly remarked.

Over the years these containers were made by a variety of firms for both US and allied forces. They are also dated, on both the external container and on the inner lids. To be correct, all four dates should match each other. If used in a living history or vehicle display, care should also be taken the dates are appropriate.

In February 1996 the specification for the familiar mermite can was cancelled, it having been phased out in favor of a more modern plastic container.

ChrisC · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 26, 2006 Posts: 147

I love my Mermite! I keep one insert full of water in the freezer, I drop it in the mermite, put stuff on either side and go, I have had it stay frozen for 3 days at one living history event....
Even though they are technically not "correct" most WWII re-enactors accept the rectangular Mermite in displays, the WWII ones were round and have been getting harder to find.

I was told the Rectangular ones came out late wwii or just post war.

JG300-Ascout

Mermite cans were also the perfect instrument for smuggling steaks 'n cakes from the mess hall cold room out to we in the field on those forays in to pick up prepared food.

Don't ask how I know this....

Dontos

- JG300-Ascout

Mermite cans were also the perfect instrument for smuggling steaks 'n cakes from the mess hall cold room out to we in the field on those forays in to pick up prepared food.

Don't ask how I know this....

uh huh..... Cool

On an 'Urban Legend' note.

Mermites are the direct cause of 'Green Eggs'. You know this to bw true if you've had to be the unlucky individual who gets the final scoops of scrambled eggs from the deep recesses of those tin inserts.

The greyish-green 'egg' remnants cured my early morning hunger on many occassions.

Perhaps why I still shiver at scrambled eggs.

regards
Don

JG300-Ascout

- Dontos

- JG300-Ascout

Mermite cans were also the perfect instrument for smuggling steaks 'n cakes from the mess hall cold room out to we in the field on those forays in to pick up prepared food.

Don't ask how I know this....

uh huh.....

On an 'Urban Legend' note.

Mermites are the direct cause of 'Green Eggs'. You know this to bw true if you've had to be the unlucky individual who gets the final scoops of scrambled eggs from the deep recesses of those tin inserts.

The greyish-green 'egg' remnants cured my early morning hunger on many occassions.

Perhaps why I still shiver at scrambled eggs.

regards
Don

Tin inserts my freckled, white fanny. Never saw a tin insert, but many a huge pile of runny scrambled eggs come out of the whole container. I'm not good with color, but they sure weren't the same hue as they are at home! Laughing

bsmart

I wonder if the pre heating/cooling instructions were followed in the field most of the time or were the containers grabbed of the shelf, the hot or cold food thrown in and taken out to the troops? Any cooks/mess attendants out there?

SHAWN · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 31, 2006 Posts: 484

well, one of those things you can take for granted. you can use the thing and never really pay any attention to it. my is sitting here by my pc.
it is better than the plastic and/or styro ones out there.

it is from the Wyott Corp. Cheyanne Wyo. 1974.
never really thought to look at the date, all of the dates are matching so yee haw for me i guess...
thanks jeff, took a closer look at it...

i dont know if i think that to be funny/odd or just nasty doug-- green eggs?. like i joke, i cant handle real dairy or eggs, it has to be powdered, everything powdered, eggs, milk, potatoes... my stomach cant handle real milk... no that is why i always took the eggs when they were over easy/sunny side up-- i knew they had come right from the shells!!!
but all of that is irrelevant, worthless info...

sapper141 · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Apr 09, 2006 Posts: 46

Hi guys
In the Canadian army we usually used call the Mermites "hay-boxes". I actually do remember the inserts they used them for hauling soups. I had this one cook who had to add (what I swear) was lard to every soup he made. You'd have to skim off the oil or fat to eat it. Still can't look at vegitable soup yech Rolling Eyes

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