1968 C Ration - Frankfurters with Beans in Tomato Sauce!

The C-Ration meal was served to troops until the late 70s, when the MRE was introduced. In this video, I open a 'C-Rat' box from 1968. See how the cigarettes, franks, and fruitcake fared over the last 50+ years.
Bon Appetit!

[@MrDeadmanwalken1]

Those old smokes are actually worth something

[@ODIN5SON]

probably worth alot

[@Hermann.der.Cherusker]

Not after opening the sealing

[@brandonhartbank7347]

There worth between 18 and 24$ a pack on eBay I seen

[@glassontherocks]

I still have two short packs of Chesterfield, and a Lucky Strike.

[@MrDeadmanwalken1]

@@brandonhartbank7347 certain packs are worth even more because theyre not as common. But i dont remember which ones

[@scottleidenberger4007]

I was in the army in the mid 70's and we always called the opener a P-38 . We were told the army had a nomenclature for everything. We had a chocolate disc candy with nuts that was called a John Wayne bar. I remember that ration. I ate the franks first because I did not care for them so much and saved the beans for last.

[@MeAncient]

I can understand that, Scott. I remember enjoying a few of these back when they were in good shape myself. I always wished I had ketchup for the Franks. TFW

[@MightyStrangebird]

Congrats on 10k Me ancient!!

[@MeAncient]

Tks, first of many milestones, I hope. TFW

[@91Bronco]

Now I was in the Army from 2012 to 2016 but my dad was in the Army in the early 80s and used to always have a P-38 on his key ring and I carried along the tradition and I have probably used that thing more then anything to open boxes and cut small things open. It is a handy little tool. Used to for a fair amount of cans as well but mostly cutting tape for packaging haha!

[@MeAncient]

Also works well as a straight screw driver. TFW, Edward and thank you for your service. My brother was in the Airborne from 1981-'85.

[@sarahgilluley9728]

You are so awesome! Keep making videos, these are the best!

[@MeAncient]

Will do, Sarah. TFW

[@LorettaPena75]

When you spit out that cracker I laughed so hard!!! You acted like it was burning hot and then Ace was trying to hold in his laugh and I was dying!!!! 🤣🤣🤣 love your videos so much!!

[@MeAncient]

Tks, Lynn. It was really nasty. I didn't expect a bad taste. I expected that it would suck the moisture out of my mouth like the first C-Rat that I ate did. But not a bad taste. TFW!

[@thegreg79]

I am QUICKLY falling in love with this channel and it's trajectory.

[@MeAncient]

Tks, Gregory. I appreciate that.

[@JY-es1et]

Another AWESOME video. I Love seeing your channel grow and grow. Once you start doing them once a day or every other day the it will go to the top! As always, Thank you serving and protecting us in Desert Storm. My Father went and all he did was have his driver drive him around to pay the men. He was a WONDERFUL FATHER!!!

[@MeAncient]

J Y, I appreciate the sentiment! However, I was not in Desert Storm. That was a few years after I got out. I was in Beirut, Lebanon in 1983 during the time the US Embassy was bombed. I left before the Beirut Hilton, also used as the USMC barracks, was blown up. As a result of that blast, 241 Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers died. One man, an older, local gentleman who had a store in the lobby (we called him, 'Shuffles,' because he shuffled his feet when he walked) died in the blast as well. Anyway, I don't want anyone to misunderstand....I was not in Desert Storm. I got the meals from around that time frame from a yard sale when we lived in Idaho. TFW!

[@christianspain3015]

I laughed so hard after the bon appetit cracker bite lol!

[@JohnLomboy]

Man, I love his videos, his energy and his stories. the camera man is like the icing on top, adds that extra amount of entertainment.

[@p3anut469]

It’s awesome you talked about my comment! It’s also very cool it’s actually 38 millimeters! I would love an old p38 i have a newer one even though it’s 15 years old from my highschool teacher!

[@vipergtsmre]

Grab a p51 too

[@p3anut469]

@@vipergtsmre i have one also it’s newer i just like the old school stuff ha

[@vipergtsmre]

Nice👍👍, then you need to grab a FRED

[@MeAncient]

I believe the same company is still making them. When you are my age, yours will be real old. TFW, Rickey!

[@HoldMeBack]

I also love the background. It feels like youre in the jungle taking a chow break

[@MeAncient]

It felt hot enough that day to be in the jungle. TFW!

[@sasquatch885]

I went into the Army in ‘73. This meal was better than some. The Marlboro’s were definitely a score! Hard to believe they were still issuing them to you guys in ‘80!

[@MeAncient]

Our drill instructors and instructors at school after boot camp would tell us the Marines got all the left over Army stuff, including food and gear. We were still using PRC77 radios. I was told they were issued to the Army in Viet Nam and they got new radios so they asked the Marines if we wanted them and since we were using older radios, they were an upgrade for us so we took them gladly from the Army. Don't know if that's true or not, but that's what I was told. TFW!

[@peggiewindham4819]

Thank you so very much for your service . Love your videos

[@MeAncient]

You are so welcome and TFW, Peggie.

[@davidloganguest9662]

My dad went through Air Force basic in 1980, he was issued the P51 can opener and kept it in his wallet for a long time. Now it hangs with his dogs tags, ear plugs, and whistle on a memory board in his den.

[@MeAncient]

Hopefully you have been able to coax a few stories out of him. TFW, David.

[@esolbdivad]

I love how you play with the food with out no gloves or nothing lol. And to taste half the stuff! Your a trooper! Great videos keep em up

[@MeAncient]

Just have to be careful what you put into your mouth, me thinks....TFW

[@esolbdivad]

Love you guys. Started watching ace back maybe a year ago and feel like I been on every adventure with the great video editing you guys do. Plan to start my own fishing channel soon myself. Also bought the seasoning lol. Maybe I'll put it in my future videos. Have a good one!

[@dirtracesandadventures]

Awesome video!!, thank you for your service, your videos are the best

[@MeAncient]

Glad you like them! tfw

[@zanewalters5606]

Really enjoying your format, as well as, your insights. Keep them coming, please. Much respect.

[@MeAncient]

You betcha!

[@HoldMeBack]

You are such a great speaker. Loving your content brotha ✌👊

[@MeAncient]

I appreciate that! tfw

[@tjlawrence2326]

Just want you to know I do thank you for your service. For you to be unboxing and sampling if possible all these rations it was amazing. Can't wait to see more uploads from you. my wife and I both watched every single unboxing and enjoyed your commentary along with your sons and family. The old story time , just can't get enough of thst sort of thing. Have yourself a marvelous day and stay safe. Look forward to your uploads :)

[@MeAncient]

TJ, I thank both you and your wife for watching. I have more stories, lots of them. You never know, you may grow tired of them before they are all told. :-)

[@fishingwithdallas317]

This is great keep up the good work

[@MeAncient]

Will do and TFW

[@aidenj.v.9127]

I love your videos Ace! This year I just got into fishing. And ever since, I've been watching Ace's videos like crazy. Love your work to Me Ancient. Keep up your love for food and don't stop making videos.

[@MeAncient]

Glad you like them! They are fun to put together. TFW, Alden.

[@screamingbaboon664]

LOL those Frankfurters and Beans, how you lifted the spoon full of rotten beans up, I thought you were going to eat them. At first I thought you were in the Vietnam war and you had this stuff as well 1968, I was going to say you're the fittest looking 75 year old bloke I've ever seen. You still look fit for a bloke in his 60's. Thanks for your service. Been watching all your videos, you're a cheerful bloke and you have a good rapport with the camera bloke too

[@MeAncient]

That camera bloke is Ace Videos, one of my sons. He and High Adventure Videos have been the camera men. Although High Adventure has only filmed 2 or 3 with Ace being involved in the rest. TFW

[@screamingbaboon664]

@@MeAncient thanks for the reply. Yes I know he's your son now. You're a great dad, I loved that video of you and Ace snorkelling in Hawaii. Water so clear and beautiful. You got that big monster Lobster, well done mate.

[@austinblair1463]

Any chance you can order a foreign military ration? Ever curious what the enemy possibly was eating? Would be interesting. Thank you for these videos sir have a good evening man. Nice evening out. Storms coming soon though. Caught a few red eyes and largemouth last few days. Gonna get rained out around here soon.

[@thecolorfulgecko2200]

@@bakinitright6637 um yes .. lmao

[@therealjonathan1399]

@@bakinitright6637 he meant like probably in the 60s to 70s or something

[@lukesbaits7085]

@@bakinitright6637 you know what he means dont have to be an idiot….. huh

[@wgm6]

Rice and fish sauce.

[@genius1198]

This is the best entertainment I've come across and longtime wow his stuff is like hilarious and I'm not laughing at you it's just this shows great and you are great commentator thank you

[@spoonclemons761]

SEMPER FI thanks for your content i do remember alot of these older rations & MRE'S i am a old salty MARINE OOH RAH

[@MeAncient]

Tks for hanging with me, Spoon. I cannot remember if I asked already, but what was your MOS?

[@spoonclemons761]

@@MeAncient I was a 0311 what about yourself

[@MeAncient]

@@spoonclemons761 2621 - Manual Morse Intercept Operator complete with a Top Secret Security Clearance.

[@spoonclemons761]

Oh ok I've never heard of that so we know who is the smart one hahaha SEMPER FI

[@RoSR]

Sir, I appreciate you and your service in the Marines. My new favorite ration reviewer. Thank you

[@MeAncient]

You are welcome. Welcome aboard and TFW

[@mypl510]

Back in 1984, I was a lowly Cadet Private in my High School ROTC, Army, and the local Armory dumped a bunch of old gear on us after they cleaned up the place. Lots of gear, but, there where a few C Rat boxes and my Instructor, MSGT West, was over the moon about them! Lots of stories started pouring out about eating these while he was active in Vietnam. And then we ate them, what a crazy treat! The smokes where a bit of a shock for some, but not for Sgt. West! He even lit one up while in the class room! LOL! Great times!

[@MeAncient]

Now those are some good memories! Thanks for passing them along!

[@CS-xn6vb]

Man, I love these videos! Keep em coming

[@MeAncient]

You know it, C S! TFW

[@madelynmartinez3343]

Let’s go baby 🔥🔥 great content

[@MeAncient]

Yeah, baby!

[@josephtenezaca8662]

Dont forget to cleanse the ol' Palet Imma support every video you put up

[@MeAncient]

I appreciate that, Joseph. I wouldn't mind if you shared a few of them, either. TFW!

[@josephtenezaca8662]

@@MeAncient YES SIR!!!

[@2shots.]

Oh god, dad brought those home many times. We thought it was fun.

[@MeAncient]

That's a great memory. TFW

[@gort400]

Really enjoying your show! USCG 75-79

[@MeAncient]

Thank you for your Service!

[@gort400]

@@MeAncient Copy That!

[@augenblickgeschichte6803]

Awesome channel brother. I was just a couple years after C Rats were discontinued. Never heard much good about them. But more curious than ever about them now. SF

[@bobogigio9072]

"I think the tomatoes are gone." Oddly, one of the most hilarious things I've heard all month. ;-)

[@MeAncient]

Bobo, I 'm glad I could make you smile. TFW

[@michaelbigboycordova9664]

Wow,seeing you and now I'm a lucky #3 being a subscriber to you and both of your son's channel!!! My dad is a retired ARMY Veteran w/2 Vietnam tours of duty. All together 42 yrs (20 active and 32 yrs Tooele Army Depot and Dugway Proving Grounds!!! Greetings from Beryl Utah in Iron County Home to the Original Desert Cannibal's USA

[@MeAncient]

I see that he was in the Army. I didn't read down the page before asking that last question.

[@EricGiebel-hs7uv]

Thank you Sir for the fun!!! I've eaten some strange stuff over the years. Uncooked escargot being pukiest . The dogs even threw up

[@philc.352]

My dad was in the Korean war and yes everyone put the p38 on the dog-tag chain. The one he had was much better built than the ones I ran across while in the Army late 80s - mid 90s. I never had to use my p38 because of MREs being the combat meal, but we were given one and I kept it on my chain for awhile.

[@MeAncient]

That's cool. Thank you for your service, Phil.

[@xtremezone3820]

I enjoy these 'Ancient One.' Thank you for doing these videos. 👍

[@MeAncient]

Glad you like them!

[@jakeejake9048]

Great review. Loved it, start to finish.

[@MeAncient]

TFW, Jake!

[@phillipjohnson1234]

These videos are just too good.

[@MeAncient]

Thank you, Phillip.

[@preacherdon5389]

fyi in 1965 and 66 we were getting 1946 c rads. They were all in good shape and we ate them yes we ate them all

[@MeAncient]

Don, that's crazy. Our C Rats were only 10 - 13 years old, 'cause they had no smokes. When we were in the field, just about anything tasted good. TFW

[@johndebilt3505]

Same in '69.

[@theh.p.lovecraftlunaticasy5186]

There is a retired marine that does camping and bushcrafting videos on here. He sometimes takes MRE's camping. I believe he said in one of his videos that they're only meant to last 3 years. However, I looked it up, and it said they should last at least a month but can last up to 5 years if stored at 50 F.

[@MeAncient]

I think the key to making them last is keeping them at a cool temperature. These were not, unfortunately. TFW!

[@CloudStudiosPhoto]

I love these videos man!

[@MeAncient]

Tks, Adam! I appreciate that you are watching and enjoying them.

[@wrightjaw]

My Uncles were in the Army and Marines and they called them John Waynes, I was in the USAF 1977-1981; 1987-2004 and we called them P-38

[@ShadowFoxDemoness]

Another great video! Thank you~

[@MeAncient]

Tks, Kara

[@billkinard9570]

“Me Ancient”, this always reminds me of my Grandfather! Well done, as always.

[@MeAncient]

I trust it's a good reminder, Bill. TFW

[@billkinard9570]

@@MeAncient always

[@lisaallen6010]

Mannnn I love you guys I lay around and watch all u guys videos all day bro, great content keep em coming. Would love to be invited on a fishing trip with y'all.. (hint hint) lol

[@MeAncient]

Appreciate it!! You never know, Lisa. TFW

[@BedsitBob]

Steve1989 would've tried all of that. 😁

[@blueovaltrucker]

Yea but he hardly does videos anymore. In the last year he's only done 1 or 2.

[@MeAncient]

I'm happy for him. I ate plenty of them, but that was about 40 years ago...... TFW

[@qyshah]

Love ur videos!

[@MeAncient]

Thank you!

[@tylerjb3]

I love these videos more then I should… more me ancient!!!

[@MeAncient]

Ain't it the truth! Tks, Tyler.

[@crazycatlady61]

I’m a 62 year old female and am watching you and just laughing and laughing and in between saying don’t open it, don’t open it! How ironic that the only things that made it were the cigarettes and the gum.

[@csr870]

I'm not a smoker but somthing makes me want to try these old cigs from back in the day take care guys

[@MeAncient]

Chris, I'm trying to decide what to do with the old smokes. TFW

[@ericharden1558]

Some of the best chocolate and fudge I’ve ever eaten was in c-rats. The cakes were great as well. Marlboro was the best! Or if you got Kools or Salem they were great trading fodder with the dark green marines. Semper Fi brother🦅🌎⚓️

[@blueovaltrucker]

This was a fun one to watch fellas .... Thanks for the yuck faces.

[@MeAncient]

The old ones are interesting because the label tells you what you are looking at but the contents don't look anything like what the label says.

[@JamesJohnsonFishing]

I enjoyed watching this way too much! haha Hopefully the next one is better.

[@MeAncient]

We have a few more to open, James. TFW

[@chrisshepherd6878]

Another great video, thanks sir.

[@MeAncient]

Glad you enjoyed it. More to come.

[@donhermance6173]

Another entertaining video. Thanks. Be safe out there.

[@MeAncient]

You betcha! TFW, Don!

[@jonathonholland9022]

I moved my head back way before you so I didn’t smell it threw the phone! 🤣😂to funny! Love these videos!

[@jonathonholland9022]

And people collect those cigarettes at top dollar unopened. Just a heads up

[@MeAncient]

That's hilarious, Jonathon! I like that reaction. TFW!

[@stormielee4756]

Awesome video!!

[@MeAncient]

Tks, Stormie. I appreciate that you watched. Take care!

[@tedm2922]

I enlisted in the US Army in 1966 and served 3 years. The only thing I ever heard the can opener called was a P-38. LOL I kept my P-38 on my key chain long after I got out of the Army until the hole wore out and it fell off.

[@MeAncient]

Sorry to hear that it fell off, Ted. If that P-38 could talk.........

[@user-kg2xb5wt7w]

We were fed C Rations from WWII in bootcamp. that was 1976. Beans were from the Manchester Bean co. Manchester NH. Dated 1946.

[@MeAncient]

Tom, those were some stout beans and stout men what ate them.....TFW!

[@eastbaykidd8574]

We ate C-rats from Korean War days (1951 and 1952) in USAF CCTS Survival School (Fairchild AFB WA) in September 1982. I have had far worse...

[@randomnwah4329]

i just discovered your channel recently. i love the videos so far :) i highly recommend not even touching the meat cans with your hands as they could have botulism. personally i have a few older rations in my collection and im waiting to get a respirator before opening them. anyways I'm excfor the next video :)

[@MeAncient]

TFW!

[@clovenbeast5183]

When I was a kid me and my grandma were going through her attic and came across a pack of Marlboros my dad had stashed. They were 38 years old at the time and I think I smoked one of them. It was awful no nicotine lol

[@MeAncient]

That sounds nasty. TFW

[@cjrobbins7152]

The person behind the camera sounds like ace videos

[@MeAncient]

That's correct!

[@eagle6754]

We would tape our tags and the JW to keep from getting poked, but most importantly, to keep everything quiet.

[@tentacionvideos]

I love your channel! Videos that i never knew i needed. Amazing job, Please never stop & remember ignore the negativity 🖤

[@MeAncient]

Haters gonna hate. Let the dogs bark but the caravan moves on.

[@eddyfaler5954]

The wolf cookies and peanut butter was like a Reese’s

[@MeAncient]

Eddy, indeedy! TFW

[@craigfresch575]

when we were kids ( late 70s, early 80s) we acquired a big can of the candy, GGGGOOODDD!!! like the old barley sugar candies

[@MeAncient]

Craig, I'm not sure what kind that is, but sounds interesting. TFW

[@craigfresch575]

@@MeAncient the candy was from civil defence, the old carb suppliments

[@yoteduster9534]

Hahahaha you raise the spoon and ace is like “wait what?” In a worried voice absolutely hilarious 😂

[@MeAncient]

Right?! I couldn't believe he would actually think I would taste them.....they smelled sooo bad! TFW!

[@goldenking562LBC]

That Marlboro pack brand new must be worth good money now day's

[@MeAncient]

That's what I've heard. TFW

[@orangejuice6814]

Yo the BEST KZbinR OUT THERE NO CAP

[@MeAncient]

You are too kind. TFW

[@vipergtsmre]

You are brave as hell for this one. It's next to impossible to find an edible MCI anymore. I've always heard it as you said, p38 is 38mm and the p51 is 51mm, but the 38 can cuts is a cool coincidence. Great vid!

[@MeAncient]

I appreciate that

[@jws14]

Happy to see some reviews of actual edible mre from different countries than this

[@MeAncient]

Coming soon!

[@bucknaked2733]

I would kill for the fudge disk and John Wayne bar.

[@MeAncient]

The fudge goes bad after 50+ years. I'd love to see one that was kept in cold storage until now. That would REALLY be cool.

[@toewstokane9023]

Thank your pops for his service in the Marine Corps. Give him a shoutout on that in the next video, let him know we appreciate it.

[@MeAncient]

I'm right here! You are quite welcome. TFW!

[@FaZeWrapz]

thank you so much for these

[@MeAncient]

More to come! TFW!

[@tommcdavid9917]

I was born August 29 1968. Many mornings I wake up feeling that I have aged as well as this MRE :/

[@MeAncient]

Tom, I hear you! TFW!

[@MARKIEBANUNCE]

I just landed me a BEAUTIFUL CASE from 1968. I was born August 13th, 1968 and I scored this case on my birthday this year. Standby for an unboxing video in the future....

[@MeAncient]

That's cool, Mark. I hope it's in better condition than mine was. TFW

[@joshuagarcia6444]

Your reaction is the greatest other great video pops!!!!! 🤘

[@MeAncient]

I appreciate that. The smell was really bad! tfw, Joshua

[@TheKruze88]

Keep it up , Great content !

[@MeAncient]

Tks!

[@RUSTYSURPLUS]

Hey Ancient .. Let me know if you have a Ham and Lima Beans ! I would love to see that one again !!! In the Corps we called the Ham and Mother fl---s 😆

[@Stevescafidi-km3td]

I remember being more worried about enemy bullets and not about cigs.You sure you're a discharged marine?

[@RUSTYSURPLUS]

@@Stevescafidi-km3td "67-71' here ya i am sure.

[@scottskorupski25]

My dad served in Vietnam and we ate this same meal in 1987 and it was still good from what I can remember and it was 1966 vintage

[@MeAncient]

Too cool, Scott. TFW

[@angielundboater]

When are we going to see some fishing with an area history lesson? Love the stories from "Me Ancient"!

[@MeAncient]

That may be coming, once I hone my editing skills. TFW

[@billkinard9570]

Love this!

[@MeAncient]

Tks, Bill

[@DoktorTaiko]

Germans like to name there foods after places. Frankfurter being named after the city of Frankfurt. But there's also: Nürnberger, Bremer, Berliner and Wiener Schnitzel, just to name a few. There's even an Amerikaner which literally means American and is a soft, round and dense dough (or miniature cake) with icing. Kids in Germany also tend to believe that the hamburger is named after the city of Hamburg :D.

[@MeAncient]

Thanks for the info. It's always good to get input. TFW

[@daviclar867]

Can't believe people saved these for some reason and are still available to try like this.

[@MeAncient]

Ain't it the truth! TFW!

[@jackpualder1522]

Unleashing a new pandemic one can at a time

[@MeAncient]

Ha ha ha!

[@BedsitBob]

They also do a P51 can opener. The Australians have (or maybe had) something similar, but with a spoon and bottle opener on the ends. It became affectionately (or perhaps un-affectionately) knows as a FRED. You can guess what the word FRED stood for. 😁

[@MeAncient]

Oh my! Are you Australian? TFW

[@johndutton5881]

Growing up next to fort lewis in roy wa we used to find the cans of franks and beans out in the woods where the troops trained, im guessing they weren't a favorite ration but we liked them.

[@eastbaykidd8574]

Beans and franks were far more popular than ham and lima beans...

[@sheldonshniklefritz95]

man i love this channel you guys are awsome keep it coming oh and tape your can opener with a bit of masking tape its cheap reusable and damn efficient anti-stabby

[@MeAncient]

Sheldon, good tip about the anti-stabby and tape. TFW

[@wgm6]

You have a beautiful yard.

[@MeAncient]

Tks! It's a labor of love, for sure.

[@shahnapaul2005]

When you picked up the beans with your spoon and raised it up to your face…I yelled…NOOO!!!!!

[@MeAncient]

Exactly what my wife did when she watched. TFW, Shahna.

[@chezsnailez]

@8:20 Nice hiss!

[@snowdogs01]

Out of cold storage in 1970.... I'm surprised the Dept. of Defense didn't simply designate the CRats as standard issue for the Corps. Everything else from that era was!

[@MeAncient]

As I said, we ate them in boot camp but I didn't see any out in the fleet. TFW, Don.

[@darrylriech7722]

When you smelled the franks on the spoon, I thought for sure the gag reflex was gonna happen!! 😂 I've seen several packs of Marlboro red cigarettes, I wonder if they ever put any other kind in the MRE's? Great Video, God bless guys.

[@MeAncient]

I've had some menthols as well. I'm saving all of them. What for, I am unsure. TFW

[@EricGiebel-hs7uv]

I can't speak for anyone else's metabolism, but the tuna with noodles MRE had my breeches down next to every other tree at Ft Hood

[@jbmusic661]

Love how ace jumped when me ancient put the beans to his nose XD i laughed so hard!

[@MeAncient]

I thought that was funny. Those things smelled so bad there was no way I'd put them into my mouth. It took a while for the smell to dissipate after we were done filming. Real nasty. TFW, Joseph.

[@vadimsegida2320]

Now I'm officially subscribed on whole Family😉

[@MeAncient]

Vadim, TFW all of us!

[@christinevenner183]

I bet you're so glad you opened all that outdoors. I can only imagine how long it would take to get the smell out of an indoor space. Interesting vid ;)

[@MeAncient]

Very! TFW, Christine.

[@abbydesouza4933]

Love this, was so funny 😂

[@MeAncient]

TFW, Abigail.