Guide to World War II Olive Drab (Camo Cans) and Withdrawn Free Beer Cans
One of my specialties in the beer can hobby is Withdrawn Free and Olive Drab beer cans (camo cans). If you have any cans like the ones pictured below, please contact me at jefflebo@aol.com. I am always looking to purchase these kinds of cans for my collection.
The first beer cans were produced in 1935. By the middle of 1942, beer can production stopped because the steel was greatly needed for the war effort. But in 1944 the US military contracted with over 40 of the largest breweries in the country to produce beer in olive drab (OD) cans to be sent to troops all over the world. They were also available at US military bases. The military would, for example, contract with Schmidt's of Philadelphia and send the Schmidt's OD cans to units where Philadelphia men were stationed. In this way, having a recognizable hometown brand was good for morale and created a psychological comfort for the men who were risking their lives in a foreign land.
OD cans were produced until around 1947 in flat tops, cone tops and crowntainers. After the war some brands were produced for export overseas for use on cruise ships etc. These do not have the olive drab color but do say "Withdrawn Free of Internal Revenue Tax For Exportation" or some similar statement. IRTP cans were produced until March 30, 1950. Below is a photo gallery of all the Olive Drab and Withdrawn Free beer cans that I know about. So far, over 120 different designs have been documented. If you have any that are not listed here I would be interested to know about them.
Brands are listed with brewery information and value. Values were derived from the book "United States Beer Cans" by the Beer Can Collectors of America. Values are based on cans in Grade A1+ condition (no dents, scratches, humidity spotting or rust).
A Photo Gallery of Olive Drab and Withdrawn Free Beer Cans
