RT, I find this an interesting statement. Is there a reason the M1942 Meat Can "was not to be issued to troops deploying, and not to be sent in bulk for replacement issue"?
Can a "mess kit" dated 1966 still be consider a "Meat Can M1942"? I have a Meat Can M1942 dated 1942 that is, except for very minor details, exactly the same as my mess kit dated 1966.
My interest in knowing the difference between a M1932 and a M1942 Meat Can is not so much about being "correct" but being able to identify and label examples I come across properly.