FS Squarish British gas can

maple_leaf_eh · #1 01-04-10, 03:45

My old neighbour passed away a month ago, and the son has been clearing the house and garage so he can sell the property. Today we talked about how children of the Depression never threw anything away (as he filled two 24" dia garbage cans of short lengths of wood).

A long time ago I noted Geoffrey had two square sheet metal fuel cans about 10"x10"x14", with a spout in one corner of the lid. The son gave me one. Are these called flimsies?

Jordan Baker · #2 01-04-10, 03:47

A picture would help.

maple_leaf_eh · #3 01-04-10, 03:53

http://warrelics.eu/forum/attic-old-...-project-9690/

Not nearly as pretty. The name on the lid is ESSO (I think).

Jordan Baker · #4 01-04-10, 04:06

OK now im know what your talking about. They are called "flimsies" but really aren't them at all. The flimsies were very similar but much more flimsy in construction.

I bought one from Geoff the other month for $40. It was a Cnd made WW2.

Bob Carriere · #5 01-04-10, 04:21

Hi Terry

You may have a Civvy 2 gal. can..... real flimsies where 4 gal. and squareish.

The picture you refer to of the British rectangular can is similar to Cdn ones.... except.... CDN have a recessed lid and the Brits has a smooth tops with no raised edges....

You might still have a valuable gas can......

Boob

Ron Pier · #6 01-04-10, 19:45

Those pictures are of the fairly common 2 gall petrol/oil/water can. The Canadian version would also have the maple leaf with a C round it embosed on the bottom.
The 4 gallon Flimsey is as stated and a very rare item. A poor quality, more or less throw away can, which was replaced from about 1942 with the captured Jerry Can design. Ron

Phil Waterman · #7 02-04-10, 00:24

Hi All

The term flimsey or flimsy is kicked around from time to time referred to as 4 gallon in Commonwealth parlance which would be Imperial Gallons. In US speak it would be a 5 gallon can, Conversion is 5 US gallons = 4.16 Imperial Gallons.

I don’t know if they were one in the same cans or not. In the US oil was often sold in this style can up until the advent of plastic containers.

I have several of these and yes the are FLIMSY as defined 1. not strong – weak and too easily broken 2. easily torn- light, thin and easily torn these cans are all of that.

So take a look at the picture is this the Critter or not?

Dave Page · #8 02-04-10, 04:36

Hi Phil,
I do not think what you have is a flimsy as it has a fixed handle, see:
http://www.goatpark.force9.co.uk/ass...uelcansbrt.jpg
is likely a US oil or kerosene tin.
Cheers,
Dave

maple_leaf_eh · #9 02-04-10, 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Waterman

Hi All

The term flimsey or flimsy is kicked around from time to time referred to as 4 gallon in Commonwealth parlance which would be Imperial Gallons. In US speak it would be a 5 gallon can, Conversion is 5 US gallons = 4.16 Imperial Gallons.

I don’t know if they were one in the same cans or not. In the US oil was often sold in this style can up until the advent of plastic containers.

I have several of these and yes the are FLIMSY as defined 1. not strong – weak and too easily broken 2. easily torn- light, thin and easily torn these cans are all of that.

So take a look at the picture is this the Critter or not?

Phil:

When I get done my Easter Weekend chores (and it is a beautiful spring day outside too), I'll figure out how to post pictures.

Yours has a screw cap and is taller than mine. The cap is much heavier with 4 prongs for some kind of wrench, not unlike the bung on a 55-gallon drum.

maple_leaf_eh · #10 02-04-10, 16:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Page

Hi Phil,
I do not think what you have is a flimsy as it has a fixed handle, see:
http://www.goatpark.force9.co.uk/ass...uelcansbrt.jpg
is likely a US oil or kerosene tin.
Cheers,
Dave

The one on the left is closest to mine.

Phil Waterman · #11 02-04-10, 16:56

Hi Dave

Yes you are correct about the origin of the can in the picture it came with hydraulic oil for a big ram.

My point which your picture bears out is a true flimsy is really flimsy made from tin no thicker than what is used in tin cans. The little two gallon cans (left) are made out of much heavier steel. At least the two that came in the kit of my HUP are.

I was trying to illustrate as your photo does better the range of containers. Are the containers in the photos ones you have? Because I would be curious if the two middle ones are same capacity (just different shapes) and are they made from the really light gauge steel.

I also suspect that the flimsy as used by the military may have gotten heavier as the leakage problem became more evident. I have seen one of these dropped from the tail gate of a normal pickup slit open.

Cheers Phil

Dave Page · #12 02-04-10, 17:14

Hi Phil,
unfortunately not my collection just an image I found on the web. There is another set of images, which I couldn't find, that show actual flimsies still in their crates out in the desert. The later pattern were similar to kerosene tins we had when I was a kid, same wire handle but different cap. Still fairly weak compared to the two gallon tin; you could actually bean someone with those.
Don't throw it away, though, as you could still use it as a prop at a show.
Cheers,
Dave

Phil Waterman · #13 02-04-10, 17:27

Hi Dave

No I won't throw it away actually what I'm doing is collecting them and 5 gallon Jerry Cans I'd like to get enough of them so that I can make up a dummy load for my Pattern 12 cargo. Given that they are trying to ban them from being used or carried on vehicles figure should make for some fun.

I think a CMP Pattern 12 would look real good in a parade with a row of those or Jerry Cans sticking about the sides.

Cheers Phil

maple_leaf_eh · #14 02-04-10, 21:07

The 3 sides and top have the name PRATTS, and the top has added PETROLEUM SPIRITS and below HIGHLY FLAMMABLE. The cap is brass or bronze and has ESSO cast in. Not military, but a nice handy sized fuel can. And as Phil said, the authorities are troubled that people should have loose fuel cans and are making them hard to find.

Ron Pier · #15 03-04-10, 10:44

The original 4 gall flimsey was of about the same gauge as a bean can. I think they had a tear off cap much like a ring pull. I read an article once that stated the loss rate on each lorry load from splitting whilst in transit was about 10%. There were heavier made variants with a screw cap for food and water. I think this link might have some info.

http://suncompass.fandom.tv/gear.htm

Ron

Dave Page · #16 03-04-10, 16:07

Hi Phil,
why are the authorities trying to ban using or carrying jerry cans, when one can buy plastic containers of the same capacity? And is this a local ban?
I always carry three 2 gallon petrol tins on the rear of my Dingo, at least one is full all the time as reserve, and they are clearly marked PETROL.
Your idea of a full truck bed of petrol cans sounds great, though it might make the local constabulary nervous. Just don't have any wires running into their midst.
Cheers,
Dave

Phil Waterman · #17 03-04-10, 19:52

Hi Dave

There are several issues though non of them have I been able to trace back to the source to see the actual law or safety ruling (do a google search on ban on metal jerry cans you will get a huge number of hits). I have tried to track this down for our club newsletter without success.

As I understand it there are a number of reasons why “Jerry Cans” are being or have been banded in some places. The issues include the following:
1. They do not have a child proof cap.
2. They are not a vapor proof design.
3. They want to abolish carrying fuel cans on the rear of vehicles like Jeeps because of the fire hazard in a rear end collision
4. That plastic is safer as a fuel container

Cheers Phil

Jordan Baker · #18 04-04-10, 01:50

This thread has a picture of what the true flimsies are. You know they are flimsy when they come in a wooden crate. The picture is about 1/2 way down

http://www.mapleleafup.org/forums/sh...light=flimsies