Dating old bottles

How do you date antique bottles?

Dating antique bottles requires knowledge of the evolution of bottle technology and the ability to research manufacturers and bottling companies. Examine the bottles symmetry. Asymmetry is an indication of a handblown bottle. Look for mould seams. The earliest bottles were handblown by a glassblower with a blowpipe and lack seams.

What is bottle dating?

Bottle Dating page (and website in general) is designed to address what the website author refers to as utilitarian bottles & jars(click for more information). Utilitarian items makes up the bulk of the bottles produced during the 19th century and first half of the 20th century.

How old is a bottle of wine with a date Mark?

The earliest of these will most often have small date marks (also known as date codes) embossed on the waist as two-digit numbers, followed closely by other number-letter-symbol combinations. For example, a bottle marked “74.22 © – 1” would have been manufactured in 1974.

How can you tell how old a bottle is?

By the mid-19th century, embossed lettering and marking on bottle bodies and bases, denoting manufacturers and products, made more precise dating possible. In addition to technology, products and manufacturers, certain types of glass colours will also aid in dating.

How do you age a bottle?

Perhaps the most obvious key to age is the mouth of the bottle. As a general rule, screw top bottles (except canning jars) were made after 1910 or so. Cork top bottles generally vanished at the turn of this century.

How can I find out the date on a bottle?

The Blasi (1974) and Holcombe (1977) books in particular have excellent overviews on what is known of the product history and supports the date ranges determined above. A search on the internet will turn up some scattered references to the bottle - primarily ones that are for sale or just referenced - but little historical information.

How can you tell how old a wine bottle is?

Perhaps the most obvious key to age is the mouth of the bottle. As a general rule, screw top bottles (except canning jars) were made after 1910 or so. Cork top bottles generally vanished at the turn of this century. Look closely at the mold seam and where the lip meets the bottle.

What is a key concept in historic bottle dating?

A key concept in historic bottle dating is the high probability (i.e., high likelihood) that the age range noted for a particular diagnostic characteristic is accurate for a given bottle which has that diagnostic feature.

How do you determine the age of an old bottle?

Brand names, trademarks, and other identifying marks provide useful data in determining an old bottle’s age. When the mark’s owner is established and clearer dates can be matched to the bottle’s use, the mark can help to positively date the piece. A well-defined maker’s mark can help you establish an old bottle’s age.

How can you tell how old a bottle of milk is?

Look for these old bottles with the characteristic crown top. The embossed maker’s mark or letters on the side of a bottle or on the base of a bottle will help to reveal a bottle’s age. Marks or letters on collectible milk bottles and Coca Cola bottles are commonly indicators of age and origin.

How can you tell how old a whiskey is?

Unlike wines, spirits and high-proof whiskeys and liquors do not age once they are bottled. Check the bottom of the bottle for any indications of the year. Some distillers use bottles that are stamped with a two-digit number indicating the year that they were made. Look on the bottle for a government warning printed on the label.

What do the numbers on the bottom of a bottle mean?

The numbers on the bottom provide a lot of clues to the date. The bottle date code (two digits) can tell us an approximate bottle age. Good Evening….. what a fantastic informative, to the point, short read article. LOVED IT. Thank You! Before my frustrations reach the levels of drinking the entire dam bottle was hoping you could help me out.