Military can opener

To most people today, this object is a mystery. It's a British Army MORFED can opener, bearing the MOD’s crow’s foot marking, with the designation 129-9982 and made in 1979. The original MORFED design dates back to 1914, developed for soldiers who relied on tinned rations like bully beef at the front lines. These can openers were mass-produced—likely in the hundreds of thousands or even millions.

Every soldier typically carried one or two in their pockets, as being able to eat quickly and efficiently while on the move was vital under combat stress.

Although the Ministry of Defence also issued clasp knives with integrated blade openers, these compact tools were easier to carry, more convenient to use, and served as a reliable backup if a knife was lost. Beyond opening cans, they doubled as screwdrivers and match strikers. Simple in construction, the MORFED featured just one moving part and was made of tough steel, usually nickel-plated to resist rust.

This kind of straightforward, effective design wasn’t unique to the UK; similar versions have been adopted by the U.S. Army and other militaries around the world.