BACKGROUND: The fat container was introduced on June 1ST 1938 and was issued to all personnel as part of their basic personal equipment and was normally carried in the breadbag. Regulations authorized each soldier a daily fat ration of roughly 72 grams, (2.6 ounces), of some type of fat, such as rendered animal fats, lard, butter, margarine or schmalz, a diced onion and melted fat mixture, which was either spread on the bread ration or used to assist in cooking. The container would hold roughly 220 grams, (8 ounces), of one of the above fats or approximately three days worth of the authorized ration. Of Note: Although regulations dictated the daily quantity of rations issued to each soldier it became more and more difficult to meet the requirements as the war continued and any fat became a valuable commodity.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Circular, two piece, molded orange bakelite construction container with a roughly, 11cm diameter top and a 10.5cm diameter bottom. The container consist of a screw off top lid and a "bowl" type bottom base. The top section has evenly spaced, vertically embossed ridges around the outer edge for ease of handling. The top lid is removable with a single turn.