Dating vintage ball mason jars

Do Ball Mason jars have a date?

The Ball Mason jars have taken on so many colors through the years, from golden yellow to amber, to different green shades. A date isn’t a foolproof indicator of the manufacturing year.

When did they start making special Mason jars?

Later, the jars were produced with the wording “Ball Mason Improved” between 1900 and 1933. “Special:” Between 1910 and 1913, Ball mason jars were printed with the words “Ball Special Mason” in all block letters.

How can you tell the year of a mason jar?

For example, the Violet jar is purple, the Beaver jar is amber, and the Lightning jar is clear. The Ball Mason jars have taken on so many colors through the years, from golden yellow to amber, to different green shades. A date isn’t a foolproof indicator of the manufacturing year.

How old are the mason jars your grandma used?

For example, this Ball Mason jar with the phrase “perfect” on the bottom is approximately from 1913-1922. You can now buy the vintage Mason jars your grandma used. Mason jars were manufactured in many different colors, including clear, pale blue, yellow, amber, olive and various other greens.

How old are Ball Mason jars?

Learn more... Ball mason jars are a type of home canning jar made by the Ball Corporation. The company started making mason jars back in 1880, and many people today still use these for canning, or collect the jars as a hobby. There are many ways to date old Ball mason jars, and one of the easiest is to look at the logo.

How can you tell what year a Ball jar is?

Ignore the 1908 patent date. This was another patent date that was printed on many mason jars, and that has no bearing on the year of production. In fact, Ball used this patent date on their jars well into the 1930s, so this year cannot be used to accurately date a Ball jar.

How can you tell the year of a mason jar?

For example, the Violet jar is purple, the Beaver jar is amber, and the Lightning jar is clear. The Ball Mason jars have taken on so many colors through the years, from golden yellow to amber, to different green shades. A date isn’t a foolproof indicator of the manufacturing year.

What year was the first mason jar made?

Rather, 1858 is the year that John Mason was granted a patent for his mason jar design, and the Ball company used this patent year on many jars. Ignore the 1908 patent date.

Dating an Atlas Mason Jar 1 Look for Mold Seams. Examine the jar to see if it has lines or mold seams from its construction. Most Atlas jars will have these seems. 2 Check the Texture of the Glass. Take a moment to lightly run your fingers over the surface of the jar. ... 3 Note the Name. Does the jar say Atlas? Or does it say Atlas Mason? ...

What color Mason jars did Grandma use?

You can now buy the vintage Mason jars your grandma used. Mason jars were manufactured in many different colors, including clear, pale blue, yellow, amber, olive and various other greens. (In the early 1900s, people thought darker glass helped prevent food from spoiling as quickly.)

How old are Ball Mason jars?

Learn more... Ball mason jars are a type of home canning jar made by the Ball Corporation. The company started making mason jars back in 1880, and many people today still use these for canning, or collect the jars as a hobby. There are many ways to date old Ball mason jars, and one of the easiest is to look at the logo.

How can you tell how old a mason jar is?

Phrases like “improved,” “special,” “perfect,” “sanitary,” “ideal,” “square” and “eclipse” can all help identify the year of your jar. For example, this Ball Mason jar with the phrase “perfect” on the bottom is approximately from 1913-1922.

What year was the first mason jar made?

Rather, 1858 is the year that John Mason was granted a patent for his mason jar design, and the Ball company used this patent year on many jars. Ignore the 1908 patent date.