Pontil Gin? How Old is This??

[sodetraveler]

I'm fairly familiar with turn of the century bottles, but haven't really dug any dumps older than the 1890's.....

This bottle was found near the Mission of Santa Clara (est. 1777) in California when I lived near there in the 80's

I've always wanted to know how old it is - and what it is

My best guess is a gin, but I'm clueless about dating pontil marks

Can anyone help

[Harry Pristis]

It's a utility bottle which may have held a wide variety of fluids. Gin would not be high on my list of possibilities because of the colorless/aqua glass.

The great majority (but not all) of old gin bottles are in a colored glass, often green. That may have something to do with marketing - eye appeal. Put up colorless gin in a colorful bottle. But, that's just my speculation.

What we can say with more confidence is that your bottle resembles a typical, post-CW spirits/bitters/sarsaparilla bottle. It may never be identified closer than that.

[sodetraveler]

[font=comic sans ms][size=14pt]What we can say with more confidence is that your bottle resembles a typical, post-CW spirits/bitters/sarsaparilla bottle. It may never be identified closer than that.

Thanks Harry!

I'm still a bit uncertain about your guess as to the age of the bottle

By "post-CW" do you mean post Civl War? Are we talking late 1860's, 1870's or 1880's?

I've never seen any pontil bottles in the 1890's dumps I've dug, so I'm assuming it's not that new!

I really appreciate all your help - and your prompt reply!!!

[jgas]

I would put date in the range of 1860. Thats a guess though. But I have not seen any pontiled bottles around any pits that I have dug. Mine are mostly 1880 pits. Unless I get a late throw. Nice find. jgas

[jgas]

Hey Sode, try this...

http://www.bottlebooks.com/basics.htm


jgas

[jgas]

Another cool site....

http://www.sha.org/bottle/pontil_scars.htm


jgas

[Harry Pristis]

[font=comic sans ms]What we can say with more confidence is that your bottle resembles a typical, post-CW spirits/bitters/sarsaparilla bottle. It may never be identified closer than that.

Thanks Harry!

I'm still a bit uncertain about your guess as to the age of the bottle

By "post-CW" do you mean post Civl War? Are we talking late 1860's, 1870's or 1880's?
...

[size=14pt]I think that late 1850s to late 1860s is a reasonable estimation.

[sodetraveler]

Thanks jgas & Harry!

I especially enjoyed those links you provided