WWII U.S. Army Mid War C Ration (1943-1945)

WWII C Ration – Early War B & M Unit Meal Set

Experience one of the most iconic field rations of World War II with our fully edible, historically detailed reproduction WWII C Ration.

Each set includes two cans: one B Unit and one M Unit, recreating a single C Ration meal as it would have been issued during WWII. Three B Units and three M Units made up a complete day's ration.

Historically Accurate – Right Down to the Cans

Our C Rations are built around cans manufactured to the correct period dimensions and three-piece seamed construction. Unlike ordinary single-use food cans, our reproduction cans are specially designed to open from the top and reclose, allowing the packaging to be cleaned, refilled, and displayed again.

No modern pop-top cans. No 3-D printed plastic substitutes.

The markings aren't stickers or decals, either. The artwork is lithographed directly onto the cans, with period-appropriate markings and reverse die-stamped date codes modeled after original examples in our collection.

Once you've eaten the contents, the reproduction packaging can remain part of your collection rather than going into the trash.

Choose From Three Early-War Meal Variations

CHOPPED HAM, EGGS, & POTATOES + COFFEE B UNIT

The Coffee B Unit contains five reproduction C Ration biscuits based on 1943 Quartermaster Corps documentation and original examples in our collection. The biscuits are reproduced with the appropriate dimensions and hole pattern and use ingredients including flour, invert sugar, sucrose, soda, malt powder, shortening/lard, milk powder, and salt.

A period-style glassine or paper separator sits above the biscuits, separating them from the remaining contents.

Also included:

• Five cane-sugar hard candies or candy-coated peanuts
• Foil-laminate soluble coffee sachet containing real instant coffee
• Three reproduction Domino sugar cubes or a reproduction Domino 1 1/5 oz. granulated sugar package

Our reproduction sugar-cube packaging includes the correct tablet-style cubes and period-style paper wrapper with tabbed opening or carton of granulated sugar (1 1/5 oz. which is correct for the C Ration, either Jack Frost or Domino)

The accompanying Chopped Ham, Eggs, and Potatoes M Unit features the same reusable, historically styled can construction and contains a matching freeze-dried entrée. Simply add contents to the can itself or your mess kit and add water to rehydrate the food.

SPAGHETTI & MEAT SAUCE + LEMON JUICE B UNIT

The Lemon Juice B Unit contains five reproduction C Ration biscuits based on the documented 1943 recipe and period examples in our collection.

Also included:

• Four individually wrapped cane-sugar caramel candies
• Real unsweetened lemon juice powder
• Period-style cellophane lemon juice sachet
• Domino 1 1/5 oz. granulated sugar package or glassine sugar sachet

Our lemon juice packaging is especially detailed. The real lemon juice powder is packaged inside a heat-sealed, crimp-cut cellophane sachet with the markings printed directly onto the package—no stickers or decals.

The accompanying Spaghetti & Meat Sauce M Unit contains a matching freeze-dried entrée inside our reusable reproduction M Unit can. Simply add water to rehydrate.

MEAT & VEGETABLE STEW + COCOA BEVERAGE B UNIT

The Cocoa Beverage B Unit includes five reproduction C Ration biscuits based on 1943 Quartermaster Corps documentation and original examples in our collection.

Also included:

• Glassine sachet of cocoa beverage powder
• Individually wrapped fudge candies or a large fudge square
• Period-style glassine/paper biscuit separator

The accompanying Meat & Vegetable Stew M Unit contains a matching freeze-dried entrée inside our reusable reproduction M Unit can. Simply add water to rehydrate.

Made for Collectors, Reenactors & Living History

These aren't simply modern foods placed inside reproduction labels. We developed the cans, markings, internal packaging, biscuits, beverage components, candies, and other details using period documentation and original ration examples from our collection as references.

The result is a ration you can open, prepare, eat, display, refill, and use again—ideal for:

• WWII reenactments and living-history events
• Museums and educational displays
• Military collectors
• WWII-themed events
• Film and photography props
• Historical ration enthusiasts
• Anyone who has ever wondered what opening a WWII C Ration was actually like

Important Biscuit Note

Our biscuits are intentionally packaged in a manner similar to the originals. Because period C Ration packaging was not designed to protect biscuits like modern retail packaging, some biscuits may crack or break during shipping.

This isn't unusual historically. Nearly every original period C Ration can we've opened has contained at least one broken biscuit.

Historical / Impression Note

The versions reproduced here feature the lithographed can-lid designs introduced in 1943. This style is appropriate for WWII impressions from 1943 through the remainder of the war.

Our reproduction cans are reusable and refillable, allowing you to enjoy the edible contents while keeping the historically styled packaging for your collection, display, or next event.

Hero Rations – Keeping the history you can hold, open, and eat.