Artifact Friday: 1951 Portable Military Stove

With the ease of technology today and advancements being made every year that passes, it is

hard to remember the reliable technology of the past. A portable military stove from 1951 was as

reliable as it got for military equipment in 1951. This military stove was designed to be small,

compact, and reliable for soldiers whose surroundings changed consistently. This portable

military stove in our collection is one in a series of M-1950 portable gasoline stoves. It was a

single-burner stove, was light in its use, and was used mainly by smaller groups of soldiers who were

near combat zones. Not only did the stove have compactable arms and feet, but it was sealed

with an aluminum case that could also be used as a pot when cooking. The stove ran on

gasoline or leaded gasoline and was easy to maintain and replace parts when using for

extended periods of time. Replacing gaskets and seals was designed to be made easy by the

user, showing the reliability and lasting hardware of the stove. The lasting hardware of this stove

can be proved through its long military service of thirty- six years, spanning from the Korean War

to the end of Vietnam. One manufacturer of this stove was Coleman Manufacturing. Coleman

worked specifically in outdoor gear, starting with gas lanterns they turned to stoves and coolers

which made them heavily useful in military use. Though Coleman was just one producer of the

M-1950, the main manufacturer of this stove was Rogers Manufacturing Co, based in Akron,

Ohio. Rogers Manufacturing worked mostly in metal production, which led to the joint effort of

Rogers, Coleman, and the US Army to produce these stoves. Due to its long-standing

reputation for reliability and working capabilities, this stove is among the favorites for military

enthusiasts and vintage camping gear collectors. Products like this served their time when it

came to not just helping soldiers in dire times but also protecting soldiers from hunger, depleting

resources, and decreasing morale. During this long holiday season, we have all seen the

remarkableness of today's technology; it is something that can be taken for granted easily. This

stove is not just a military surplus or a standard military stove, but is a lasting device that produces

many meals and much comfort to soldiers. During this New Year we can all be grateful for

something and take a new look at the coming year, the same was done by soldiers in Korea and

Vietnam ranging from 50-75 years ago.