B series Posted December 6, 2020 Share Posted December 6, 2020 I have a new old stock ex British army container for storing some type of liquid. Due it's unusual shape I think it must have been designed to fit in a very cramped space, maybe an AFV. Due to it's height versus base ( H 10 3/4 x W 1 1/2 x L4 1/4 inch) it is very unstable, and must have been prone to spillage during use. Steel with brass fitting and cap. Markings are: JA 0220 14MB, the government pheon/arrow and date 1962. Does anybody know which vehicle or equipment this is related to? Many thanks B Series Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fv1609 Posted December 6, 2020 Share Posted December 6, 2020 It is not for a vehicle. JA is a sub-section of the Vocabulary of Army Ordnance Stores Section J1 Camp Equipment JA 0220 is a Bottles, Tin, Methylated Spirit, 1 1/2 pints In 1941 it was priced as 1s 2d Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted December 6, 2020 Share Posted December 6, 2020 Notice the letters "MB" are linked together, this indicates it was made by The Metal Box Company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B series Posted December 6, 2020 Author Share Posted December 6, 2020 Thank Clive & Richard for the info you have provided. I have an original VAOS Identification list/catalogue, sections E3 thru KG. and also W3, dated 1946, however this Bottle/Tin is not listed in Section J1 Camp Equipment which is why I did not know its background. Maybe it is because I do not have subsection JA. Does VAOS normally list all items available, or only those shown on the Plate illistrations? There must be a good reason why the container has such a high centre of gravity, especially if it contained methylated spirit. It is very unstable unless on a flat & level surface. What would methylated spirit be used for that needed a special shaped container? MB = Metal Box company, learn something new every day. The VAOS book is interesting with illistrations of Tentage attached to WWII lorries, early forklift's, recovery gear, hospital equipment, tables & chairs, fire fighting equipment, a huge selection of stores and equipment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fv1609 Posted December 6, 2020 Share Posted December 6, 2020 I think the producers of VAOS J1 1946 were seduced by the glossy paper & being able to illustrate so many items that they forgot to include so much stuff that appeared in the 1941 (non-illustrated) version!. VAOS should normally include all items that are demandable in that particular Section. There might have been a more comprehensive vocabulary & what you have is more of a pictorial special! I have catalogues of Government publications from 1890-1980 that list VAOS but it would take some time to investigate : ( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B series Posted December 7, 2020 Author Share Posted December 7, 2020 Thank you all for your assistance, so much knowledge on this forum. I have another old can, I do not know if it is military, but it has military appearance with the reinforced corner protectors. It is steel with brass fittings, a complicated design involving 20 components soldered together. No markings, and no evidence of any paint finish. Size H 9 1/2 x 5 1/4 x 7 inch. Is this a WW II "flimsey" or similar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 I have come across similar cans to this made for Shell and they are divided inside for petrol and oil for civilian use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hall Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 On 12/6/2020 at 12:01 PM, B series said: I have a new old stock ex British army container for storing some type of liquid. Due it's unusual shape I think it must have been designed to fit in a very cramped space, maybe an AFV. Due to it's height versus base ( H 10 3/4 x W 1 1/2 x L4 1/4 inch) it is very unstable, and must have been prone to spillage during use. Steel with brass fitting and cap. Markings are: JA 0220 14MB, the government pheon/arrow and date 1962. Does anybody know which vehicle or equipment this is related to? Many thanks B Series It’s possibly part of a kit where it would not be left standing on its own i.e. removed from its holder, a little poured into something else and then placed back into its holder/case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxy Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 I think it is a proper paraffin can for filling Tilley lamps , paraffin stoves , blowlamps etc. I can remember the village chemist filling my methylated spirits bottle with one. You went to the ironmongers for paraffin - demarcation I suppose. A Valor version https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Valor-Paraffin-Oil-Can-Esso-Blue-/142373057502 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Godolphin Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 I found this thread interesting as I purchased this tin yesterday at the Dallas Autos Sunday Dig Out. I found the shape curious and had not come across the number designation before. From reading the comments above, they suggest it is a container for Meths. The idea for filling camping lights or similar would also fit the unusual shape being made to store in a kit perhaps with a Tilley Lamps as they are very similar height. Whilst not a definitive answer, I am pointed in the right direction. many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fv1609 Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 Zooming in on your picture & increasing the contrast it looks as if it reads JA 0220, in which case I have identified it further up stream. You can just make out the M of the co-joined MB. As far as Tilley lamps go, all the spares & accessories are listed on one page in VAOS J1. The associated can appears as Cans, methylated spirit JA 5549 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Godolphin Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 Hello Clive, Yes, I saw your post, "JA is a sub-section of the Vocabulary of Army Ordnance Stores Section J1 Camp Equipment JA 0220 is a Bottles, Tin, Methylated Spirit, 1 1/2 pints" . It did not specify what the Meths was used for, assuming Camping equipment. the shape of the tin suggests it may fit into a box or crate alongside an item whilst being transported perhaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fv1609 Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 Howard a VAOS rarely gives an application, just sufficient information so that an item of supply can be identified & demanded. I must admit I am hard-pressed to think of many legitimate applications for meths in a camping role. The 1941 VAOS gives two possibilities: JA 2410 Warmers, food, spirit lamp. Spirit lamp & saucepan with lid. JA 2448 Traffic control equipment, lamps Many camping items seemed to get packed in wicker panniers. The medical comforts pannier in particular has nice little compartments for a range of matching rectangular containers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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