Posted 10 years ago
gpflepsen
(1 item)
This has been in my father's warehouse for as long as I can remember, 40+ years. Now we are clearing the storage space. This is a heavy padded cover, made of a canvas, possibly oiled canvas. There is a triple top flap secured by leather straps/buckles. Under these flaps is a padded "plug" flap about 2-3" thick. Under this padded plug is a tin/steel canister about 9-10" diameter and about 2" in height and mostly full of a liquid.
Under the short canister is an empty tin can about 2' tall with a press-fit lid.
The whole thing weighs about 30 lbs.
My father had a range of items related to firefighting, railroad tools/equipment and other categories.
Does anyone have an idea of what this could be?
A shipping cooler. (Cream, ice cream, etc.).
T A
Seems to me to be made to protect rather than for keeping things cool.
I'm was also thinking military, industrial as well.
I believe this was a military medical shipping canister . They shipped whole blood and plasma packed in ice and/or dry ice. The US Army learned this method from the British during WWII. I believe the item shown was originally made for food transport in an insulated bag and were called marmite cans. They improvised and used them for the shipment of life saving supplies. This one is quite possibly Korean War vintage. Perhaps Scottvez will comment.
Really marmite cans ? I hate the stuff.
Are we thinking about the same Marmite, because usually Marmite I'm thinking of comes in jars. I'm lost, lol.
Yes, yuck.
Link to steel marmite blood bank containers WW2: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/424253227369188328/
My spelling was wrong somewhat, it is called both marmite and mermite with mermite being more commonly used today where marmite was used during the 1930's and 40's. Sorry about the confusion.
The military food containers are called MERMITE-- I spent some time in the support platoon, so I have delivered a lot of it!
Actually it was well received by the soldiers-- basically a HOT- A meal transported to the troops. Much better than the usually MRE or C Ration.
This doesn't look like any mermite I have ever seen. Also the seam and construction of the interior container would lead me to believe it was for something of less than "food grade" quality.
What?? I do not know.
scott
There from Australia, they know what My Marmite is. Lol
Yes I've just read up on it, same thing different name.
Shamrock Meese Inc. cooler will result in similar pieces, round and square.
http://mar06.hugginsandscott.com/pl/1899.jpg
http://mar06.hugginsandscott.com/pl/1899a.jpg
http://auctionimages.s3.amazonaws.com/11217/39788/30437787.jpg
http://auctionimages.s3.amazonaws.com/11217/39788/30437784.jpg
T A
http://www.lotnut.com/app/item.html;jsessionid=BC94E447201E09644DCFDA116E7986F2?guid=35d799ce-6745-4393-87a4-4500ae5c3099
Wouldn't having frozen ice cream arrive still frozen be considered protecting the product?
T A
There is always eBay too: http://r.ebay.com/ZDd2WE
T A
Thanks to TA and everyone else here for the responses! I agree that it is either a cream or ice cream insulated container. The large container has 'Harding's Omaha' embossed in it, which was an old creamery or ice cream business.
Thanks again!
You are very welcome Gpflepsen, welcome to CW, and don't be a stranger!
T A