{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-k-ration-morale-series-breakfast-meal-unit-by-hiram-walker-sons-inc-with-contents","title":"Original U.S. WWII K-Ration Morale Series Breakfast Meal Unit by Hiram Walker \u0026 Sons Inc. with Contents","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items: Only One Available. This is an excellent original U.S. WWII \u003cb\u003eField Ration K Breakfast Unit \u003c\/b\u003epacked by \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHiram Walker \u0026amp; Sons Inc., Peoria 1, Illinois\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, retaining its late-war “Morale Series” outer carton and a remarkable assortment of original contents. The ration has been opened for inspection, but several of the internal components remain sealed and intact, making this a particularly strong representative example of the compact combat ration issued to American troops during World War II.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe K ration was developed as a lightweight individual ration for troops operating where conventional field kitchens or larger packaged rations were impractical. Its direct ancestor was a pocket ration developed for paratroopers, and the Army subsequently adopted the concept for broader use in 1942 as Field Ration, Type K. The ration’s compact size made it particularly useful for airborne troops, armored personnel, couriers, assault troops, and others who needed food that could be carried easily on the individual soldier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe later \"Morale Series\" had unique packaging designs that were color-coded and letter-coded on the ends for quick identification. The breakfast ration box had brown printing and was marked with a brown capital letter \"B\" on the ends, the dinner ration box had blue printing and was marked with a blue capital letter \"D\" on the ends, and the supper ration box had olive drab printing and was marked with an olive drab capital \"S\" on the ends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe packaging commencing with the earliest version of the ration consisted of a chemically-treated cardboard outer carton and a waterproofed waxed-cardboard inner carton to protect the contents from contamination or damage. The waxed carton was found useful by soldiers to start small fires in which to boil water for coffee or cocoa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe entrée came in a small, round metal can painted green with black lettering, with a metal key (dubbed a \"twist key\") to open it, packaged in a roughly square 3 × 23⁄4 × 17⁄16 inch (7.5 × 7 × 3.7 cm) cardboard box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rest of the meal came packed neatly in a waxed paper or laminated cellophane pack. The pack always contained two packages of 8 rectangular K-1 or 4 square K-2 calorie-dense cracker biscuits each, and either a flat rectangular stick of chewing gum or a square piece of candy-coated gum. Special items (like matches or Halazone tablets) were packed in one unit but not the others due to space limitations. Late production meals added a paper-wrapped paddle-like disposable wooden spoon and used the standard P-38 can opener instead of the \"twist key\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a very nice unissued \u003cb\u003eBREAKFAST \u003c\/b\u003eunit by\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e Hiram Walker \u0026amp; Sons Inc. of Peoria 1, Illinois\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e. It is the later war \"Morale Series\", with the maroon design on the exterior. The ration is open, and the contents are shown. The original inner plastic “pack” is still wrapped and unopened. The original entree is intact in its small round metal can with the metal key still on the lid. There is some corrosion and minor oxidation to the exterior of the can. The small wooden spoon is intact as well. The \"Soluble Coffee Product” is still sealed, as is the small pack of Camels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe breakfast units would contain: canned entree veal (early version), canned chopped ham and eggs (all subsequent versions), biscuits, dextrose or malted milk tablets (early version), dried fruit bar, pre-mixed oatmeal cereal (late version) Halazone water purification tablets, Dentyne or Wrigley chewing gum, instant coffee, a packet of toilet paper tissues, and sugar (granulated, cubed, or compressed).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn total, the three meals provided about 8,000 calories and 79 grams of protein. depending upon components. As it was originally intended as an \"assault\" ration to be issued for short durations, the K-ration was designed to be used for a maximum of 15 meals. The K-ration was mass-produced by several major U.S. food production companies, including H. J. Heinz, Patten Food Products Company and The Cracker Jack Company.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is especially desirable because it preserves much more than the outer carton alone. The Hiram Walker \u0026amp; Sons Inc. Breakfast Unit carton, late-war Morale Series graphics, intact entrée can and opening key, sealed Soluble Coffee Product, sealed Camel cigarette pack, wooden spoon, and still-wrapped internal packet together provide an unusually complete view of the food, accessories, and packaging carried by American servicemen during the closing years of World War II.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIdiot Clause - the contents of this kit are pre-1945 manufacture and are NOT suitable for consumption. They are being sold as novelty collector pieces only. Even though some people on youtube have tried. Yuk!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45691221311557,"sku":"ONJR24FESS126","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/DAE18195-2F28-43CC-B7EB-7439CA2518D5.jpg?v=1788633038","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-k-ration-morale-series-breakfast-meal-unit-by-hiram-walker-sons-inc-with-contents","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}