ruxy Posted June 7, 2021 Share Posted June 7, 2021 - Dated 1953 , embossed WD & broadarrow. Brass cap is marked AAO & Co. Ltd. It seems AAO was Anglo-American Oil Co. a subsidiary of Standard Oil Co. Predecessors of ESSO, apparently the company name was changed 1951 to ESSO Petrol Co. Ltd. So - seems like they were lazy in change of cap casting. Has had a smear on a base soldered seam (probably Devcon) , container is all solder seam construction - flimsy ? If you are interested - I am open to offers - collection mid-Weirddale , or you pay £ for shipping. It probably would solder repair to contain petrol , but offered on basis of Vehicle enhancement or 1:1 diorama. Both sides not shown in photographs but very sound. Would soon clean up for a coat of OD or primer + OD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxy Posted June 7, 2021 Author Share Posted June 7, 2021 errata - noticed I have shown a picture of a end , other end in same condition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxy Posted June 7, 2021 Author Share Posted June 7, 2021 2 additional pics - one should be of the base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Herbert Posted June 8, 2021 Share Posted June 8, 2021 All these cans have interchangeable caps. This one simply has the wrong cap on it ! David 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxy Posted June 8, 2021 Author Share Posted June 8, 2021 2 hours ago, David Herbert said: All these cans have interchangeable caps. This one simply has the wrong cap on it ! David Possibly , but probability has a % against - so I don't think so , if you google on a can this date (1953) one is to be seen with same embossed top and the cap is identical - then this one has been listed for sale (where I established the origins of a AAO cap. The hard evidence again matches the top to the can with this cap, many cans embossed front/rear but not the top - in this case the top is a link to correct cap. The probability not so great as to be wrong.. Could have been jumbled but then I can't say I have noticed Pratts, Esso, Shell being sold with wrong caps - if they do get mixed it seems to get resolved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 I have a similar can and I’ve always wondered why the military would still be using this type of can in the 50,s vs the Jerry can. I think mine is 53 dated too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Herbert Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 I bought a brand new red one, unmarked except for "Petroleum Spirit Highly Inflammable" in 1970 from Halfords. I have no idea what was stamped into the bottom if anything. They were still in common use then as plastic ones had only just started to be available. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fv1609 Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 It is listed in VAOS Section LV6-MTI Vol. 1 Miscellaneous Stores 1952 & again in 1960 The cap if lost could be replaced by demanding LV6/MTI/37557 Incidentally the 1960 edition also lists LV6/MTI/32002 Jerrican 4 1/2 gallons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G506 Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 During WW2 the brass caps the WD used were completely plain and unmarked from what I've seen, and I suspect this practice continued post war. I've never understood why a broad arrow wasn't cast into them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxy Posted June 12, 2021 Author Share Posted June 12, 2021 8 hours ago, G506 said: During WW2 the brass caps the WD used were completely plain and unmarked from what I've seen, and I suspect this practice continued post war. I've never understood why a broad arrow wasn't cast into them. Yes , I too would have expected a broad arrow or letters WD on the cap. Most cans where the company name is embossed on the side such as Pratts, BP, Shell, Esso etc. - you can easy match with a brass cap. However I have never seen a can embossed with Anglo American Oil to which the AAO Co. Ltd. caps can be married with. I have a book "Pioneers of Petrol" about Carless Capel & Leonard , good early history about import of oil , early history of Launch Spirit, Motor Spirit , Aviation Spirit and how the word Petrol came about. As a kid I can remember taking such cans to the local ironmonger to get filled with paraffin for Aladdin & Tilley lamps + brooder heaters. I can't remember the names on the cans or caps - ISTR the cans were heavier steel construction , don't recall this lighter soldered construction , but that was abt. 60 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 I still use a Redline 2-gall can dated early 1930's for the mower petrol, that has the wrong cap, no big deal, the caps get lost, nicked or swapped around. I have used it for more than 40 years. As for making them still for the army in 1950's, it should be remembered there were still vehicles in service that were equipped with stowage for POW cans and not jerricans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupert condick Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 Hi Just some questions on POW /water cans, I came across a report that camel cans were preffered water can in the M.E. But I have not seen any pictures of these.(in WW 2) I have pic's of POW cans Jerry cans Restored POW cans as originally painted, Petrol dated DD 1942, otheres just DD no date. and a steel type Water can, ME and New Zealand Austin K2Y in Italy moved up from ME. and in the Museum a Camel Canteen regs Rupert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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