Evolution Of The US Jerry Can

[Tom Wolboldt]

Hi Chuck,

Before I can answer your questions, I need a few more details involving your statements above.

From your German gas can research - Where ALL German gas cans ( like the ones we are discussing here ) made the same ? Are the design details listed as the cans were originally made or are they taken from an as found surplus can.

[Chuck Lutz]

Tom...are you referring to the standard German can with a square pattern on the side? Are you referring to those "Mistery Cans" Luca and others have that do NOT have the same design/construction details as the "Mystery Cans/American Prototypes or as Robin has suggested they might be....the Expeditionary Can"?

If you are asking: "Are all WWII German gas cans with the square side detail made the same?" I would have to answer that I have not researched that but only observed the details on cans or pictures I have or have seen.

Or are you asking if the design details or a German can (Which one?) could have been altered in 60+ years from leaving the factory? to that I would have to say that I can only comment on what I HAVE observed and not speculate on may or may not have happened during or after WWII.

If you are asking about the "Mistery Cans" then I can't comment much beyond pointing out that they have different features and designs from the American Prototypes.

If you can pose the two questions in more detail I will try to answer them.

[lucakiki]

Tom, can the way you weld an handle on the clam assembly be considered a change in the design, or is it merely a change in the method to assemble the same parts , not requiring any redesign?

The discussion, seven years ago, was triggered by the suggestion that the U.S. and the Brits improved upon the design.
It took a while to finally read an answer,but it finally happened.
Now I am wondering if a questionable answer is better or worse than no answer at all, but I am sure also this doubt will dissolve, in the near future.

As for the production rate, let us assume the british assembly methods actually allowed for a greater productivity: can you imagine what would have happened if the British method did not ensure greater productivity?
Yes, I have the can shortage in mind...

[Chuck Lutz]

Would that be THIS can shortage?

The Allied Jerry Can Shortage.gif (132.22 KiB) Viewed 338 times

[Tom Wolboldt]

Hi Chuck,

I thought my post was pretty clear since it was replying to your post about how the British cans were improved over the German cans. Also included in your post were questions to me which I asked for more data before answering in my post. You talked of German cans ( I thought anyways ) and I asked about German cans - seems pretty clear cut to me. Are there other German cans that were not made by or for the Germans that I don't know about ? Nowhere was there mention of German look-a like / mystery cans.

Please try to stay focused on the questions asked.

[Chuck Lutz]

OK....
1) I pointed out a couple things I saw which looked to me to be differences between German and British cans and I saw them as improvements.

2) There are some cans that do NOT have the same characteristics as the American Prototypes that have the "X" indents. Some even have these "Letter'letter/number" "CODE" stampings on them and some just have some slightly different design and mfg characteristics from the American Prototypes...

I do not have any information on them and have continued to use the term "Mistery Cans" for them in an effort to differentiate them from the American Prototypes.

3) Are all german cans made the same? NO....
Here is one...

German dwc 1941 Boehme & Co..jpg (155.87 KiB) Viewed 331 times

Here is a different one...

German Muller Eisenwerk Schwelm Gas 38.jpg (31.44 KiB) Viewed 330 times

[Tom Wolboldt]

Hello Luca,

You asked,

Tom, can the way you weld an handle on the clam assembly be considered a change in the design, or is it merely a change in the method to assemble the same parts , not requiring any redesign?

I am not sure " change " is the correct word. " Alternate " may be a better word. If the alternate method created a cost or time savings then it could also be considered an " improvement " over the previous design.

[gerrykan]

...set a couple British cans next to a couple German cans....
1) I have noticed on my German can and a couple British cans that the clamshell SEAM is a little different on the British cans. On the German cans the mating surface is smaller and is down in the groove a bit deeper which does not make it easy to weld together.

Chuck, "on my German can" makes a person think that you have only one can to compare. German cans of this subject were made from 1937-1945 by 19 known manufacturers.
Stamped/pressed sheet metal parts will have slight dimensional differences between maker's dies, wear of dies, etc. With millions of cans made by many manufacturers, I don't feel that two German cans against two British cans is a very good cross-section for comparison.

[Chuck Lutz]

Roy, all I can say is what I have owned, held in my hands or seen pictures of.
What more can I tell you?
Each of us posts pictures and gives our opinion of what we OWN, what we HOLD IN OUR HANDS and what we see PICTURES of.
Eyewitness accounts are what each of us interprets what we see....and they can differ.

[lucakiki]

OK....


3) Are all german cans made the same? NO....
Here is one...

German dwc 1941 Boehme & Co..jpg

Here is a different one...

German Muller Eisenwerk Schwelm Gas 38.jpg

Thank you so much for informing us that earlier German cans had an X pattern, and that later ones had the square in the X pattern.
Now, if I will see a german can with just an X on the side, I will know that the stamped in information is on the other side.
The internet is such a great resource, but it is precious contributions like this that make the difference.

[Chuck Lutz]

...I am responding to Tom W's question....not you.

[lucakiki]

...I am responding to Tom W's question....not you.

I could not see any mention of Tom's name, in your post, just for the record.
It is very true that I am not responding to Tom W's question.
Any one can see how I was actually thanking you for sharing the invaluable information on German cans.

[Chuck Lutz]

I take no offense at your normal day to day snotty, contrite and condescending posts.....

..but who says that all "Mistery Cans" were of German origin? I have no information that would confirm or deny that and quite frankly I am not focused on the "Mistery Cans".....

Maybe instead of worrying about the American Prototype cans you can focus on the "Mistery Cans" that are not like these and actually ADD something to the gee for a change in terms of information?

What a novel IDEA!

[Mark Tombleson]

You two are more fun than watching a soap opera.

That X is very interesting.

[Chuck Lutz]

Oh Mark....c'mon now...you know Luca would rather pick apart a reasonable idea rather than EVER actually come up with an original one himself!

A major portion of his posts are "bubbled up" old posts, nothing original there.....

Have you seen much posted by him that comes out of the blue with some NEW information or some RESEARCH or anything? No, usually just quotes and cherry-picked gems or word games.....again...nothing to contribute to the overall info available on the gee.....

He COULD take on the "Mistery Can" types and figure out where and who produced them, even the "Letter/letter/Number" cans came from SOMEWHERE but I can just about guarantee you he won't spend two minutes on researching them, but he would be the first guy to get in YOUR face if you did....