Tonight, I found an old ammo can in the bottom of my closet containing momentos, concert ticket stubs, letters, etc. Most things were from 1976 to 84, with one thing, a receipt from 1989. Also in there was a box of 34 Diamond brand "red top" safety matches.<br><br>Since they were at least 13 and maybe 20 years old, I just had to try one. It lit just like the new "strike on box" matches. Amazing!!! So I tried 5 more with the same result. As I said, they were stored in a sealed ammo can, and dry, but this is still really great.<br><br>Maybe a nickel (quarter, now) WILL buy quality. I wonder if my lifeboat matches will do as well.<br><br>Peanut

Surplus ammo cans are one of the few successes of military procurement. Even at the inflated markup of gunshow prices they are a bargain. The Ranger Rick booklets even show a ammo can BBQ. I own several. I think one actually holds ammunition.

I remember watching the Army bury jillions of them at Ft. Ord (I was a wing nut, but stationed there anyway and got to use their range once a year)...made me cry.