U.S. GAS JERRYCAN MANUFACTURERS LIST (41-45)

[doug p.]

A little late to reply, but I know that "Rudy" was located in Dowagiac,Michigan-the plant was a major employer all through the '60s and '70s. Most of my friends fathers worked there-even my brother worked there for a time. The plant is still there,located at the corner of E. Prairie Ronde and W. Railroad st (which becomes Rudy road past the plant). It's easily seen on Google Earth. I'm really not sure if it is still operating or not. During WW2 or the Korean War (or both), they also made .30 cal ammo cans.

[gerrykan]

Never too late to share information. Thanks.

[gerrykan]

Doug,
I followed your lead on Google Earth and captured a couple of present day images of the Rudy plant.
The signage says NCP/National Copper Products.

[doug p.]

Yep, that's it. This has started me thinking that I'd like to find a Rudy can for my Dodge.

[ChrisC]

Hey Doug!
We have been compiling a "master list" of Michigan companies that made items for the war effort, and I did have "Rudy Furnace Co." of Dowagiac on the list, the file has them listed as producing "gas tanks" I never put 2 and 2 together on that one.
The list has got to be so big that things get overlooked sometimes.

If you are ever over here on the east side, the museum is now officially open, stop in and say hello!

Chris

[doug p.]

Dowagiac was once a major furnace and stove-making center-there were at least three big makers there. I have a book, "Images of America, Dowagiac" with a number of wartime photos of military production at these plants. From the book:
" During WW2, Rudy produced ammunition boxes,gas cans,and gunsights for the M1 carbine. Premier (another furnace co.) manufactured ammunition boxes-565,000 wood boxes with metal liners by the end of the war. Dowagiac Steel Furnace made ammunition boxes,parts for Army trucks,boiler stacks,and water heaters for use on military bases"
Another famous old stove company, Round Oak, cast magnesium aircraft wheels during the war.
I have a number of these Rudy ammo cans,but no lids for them, unfortunately-my brother picked them up when an area of the plant was being cleared out. They had been used to hold bolts and such in the tool crib.

[ChrisC]

Cool, I have added these three companies to our list for further research.

[ChrisC]

Turns out we had a Rudy can in the museum collection already. Now that I know this was a MI company, it will be displayed and labeled accordingly.

Now to find one of the ammo cans.

[SB5477]

Please, add G P as a can manufacturer.

[Mark & Don]

Greetings to all ,

This post is a little late but I just bought myself a Rudy made Jerry petrol can today .I found the factory information very helpful and interesting on the forum.

I have not come across this manufacture in OZ before. Here is some pics of it.Cheer's

Regards,

Mark

[Mark & Don]

Just some more pics to add of the can. Not sure if these are a common late war gas can manufacture and found on a regular basis .I think it has been used for oil maybe post war here in Australia by Mobil company.

Regards,

Mark.

[old arkie]

can anyone tell me if the wheeling gas cans are considered a rare or hard to find item??????? The one I saw at a flea market 01/26/13 had a different type of lid and on the back end of the top was a indent about 1 inch in diameter any ideas about tis old arkie

[gerrykan]

old arkie,
Your description sounds like a 1941 galvanized can.
Not super rare, but usually more desirable than the 1942-45 standard cans.

1941 cans had a two lug(ear) lid with the chain riveted directly to the lid without the heavy wire bar seen on later cans.
The 1-inch indentation is thought to be an access hole for galvanizing the inside of the can.

It should be dated on the bottom 5-20-41.

Does it have a G(gasoline) or W(water) embossed into the side.
1941 screw lid water cans are rarer than 1941 gasoline cans.

[motto]

I see the name Moblittsparks as being the name of a gerry can manufacturer. Is this any relation to the company that made the exhaust mufflers for the Dodge Weapons Carrier that is shown in TM 10-1531 as being Noblitt Sparks?

David

[bartl.m]

http://www.ebay.com/sch/andrejkanov/m.h ... ksid=p3686