any ideas on this bottle?

[funkman]

This bottle was dug up by Earthworks at my ATV trails site. He was metal detecting and got a deep target. While digging this target the bottle appeared. The target he was digging was underneath and was an old tin plate or pie tin. ANyway the seam on this bottle goes from the bottom but stops at the ring on the neck. That ring is a little higher in spots as it goes around the neck. Has the glass blower mark on the bottom of the bottle I beleive. There are also air bubbles in spots around the neck and body of the bottle. The rim has a few chips in it that were like that when it was dug up. No damage was done to in in recovery. Has some sort of brown stuff on the outside of the neck of the bottle. Possibly dried molasses or syrup. This stuff won't come of with cleaning.
Any ideas on what type of bottle this was and what age it could be? Earthworks mentions that I should start sifting this area because there were nice shards of pottery and dishware that were also coming out of this hole. Some had nice gold gilt design on them. Will take pics of theshards and post also after I clean the dirt off.

Thanks

Funkman

[funkman]

the dimensions of the bottle are:

5 and 1/4 inches tall
3 and 1/2 inch diameter base
2 and 1/2 inch diameter rim

Funkman

[Skrimpy]

I would dig that pit. The top on that little baby looks crude compared to the rest of the bottle. See how the mold line doesn't go all the way to the top of the bottle. That's an indication (just an indication mind you I am not an expert...yet) that the bottle is pre 1900s. If it were pre 1870s there is a good chance it would have a pontil (mark where the iron rod was holding it when it was being made) on the bottom of it. My guess is circa 1890s but it doesn't mean there isn't anything older there. Just dig deeper. Generally (not always), the thicker and/or more crude looking, the older. Then, once you start getting more into those types of bottles look for pretty colors, embossing, dates, unique shapes. That's when you should start raking in the really nice bottles.

[sonny0065]

Possibly a ink or shoe polish. HH sonny

[redneckinwayz]

i agree with sonny.... it does look like a polish bottle, possibly a ink bottle.... nice find

Phil
Tennessee

[diggummup]

I was think more along the lines of a food bottle. Capers, chutney, pickles, peppers, relishes and the like.

You forgot olives! I agree with SWR. Food bottle. Could possibly be a mustard container too. Pot type, not barrel type.Though more than likely, it was used for pickles or olives,or something like that. Most inks only held 3-4 ozs. at most (except for refill bottles),this is a little bigger than that I believe.

[funkman]

thanks for the replies all. I plan on sifting through this area because there were shards of dishware there also, some with blue design and some with gold gilt. Possibly other bottles will be found.

Any hints or tips for digging or sifting this area? I never did anything except for metal detect but one of the guys that came to the site....bluezman...was kind enough to make me a sifter and naturally I want to try it out. If I use a coat hanger or some other metal probe can you tell the difference of hitting glass or stone? If so how do you tell the difference?

Thanks again

Funkman

[diggummup]

You should be able to "feel" the difference.I wouldn't use a coathanger,you need something more stout.If nothing else try using a really long screwdriver.I have a 16" one that I have used before in the past.Be very careful while digging,you never know what you may dig up,you don't want to damage a rare and expensive bottle or flask.Here's some stories to get your blood flowing-http://www.glswrk-auction.com/005.htm

[funkman]

thanks diggum!

[treasurekidd]

Although I agree that is looks like a food bottle, it also resembles the old tooth powder bottles. I actually have an old embossed tooth powder that looks a lot like that one. Worth digging that pit! Nice find!

[diggummup]

Although I agree that is looks like a food bottle, it also resembles the old tooth powder bottles. I actually have an old embossed tooth powder that looks a lot like that one. Worth digging that pit! Nice find!

Anythings possible,it could be.I think we will all agree that it's an old bottle and a darn good indicator of the age of that trash pit.He's probably out there now,sifting! I would be.

[Skrimpy]

You should be able to "feel" the difference.I wouldn't use a coathanger,you need something more stout.If nothing else try using a really long screwdriver.I have a 16" one that I have used before in the past.Be very careful while digging,you never know what you may dig up,you don't want to damage a rare and expensive bottle or flask.Here's some stories to get your blood flowing-http://www.glswrk-auction.com/005.htm

Clam rake or "scratcher" will do the trick (well, what I call a clam rake...I think its actually a "three pronged cultivator" or "four pronged cultivator"...here is a pic...http://www.homegardenandpatio.com/ca...ls_cultivators). Start at a low point if ithe dump is on the side of a hill and dig straight down with a shovel...nothing old move up a little and dig straight down. When you start hitting shards of older stuff get out the clam rake and rake it easy. once you have a good pile take the shovel and move it out of your way and back to the rake...you can even get a hand clam rake in plastic at Lowes and Home Crapo if you have one of them near you. You will probably want both one with a long handle and one that you hold in your hand.

[bottles10]

Probable mucilage or clue. Could be rubber cement. The right age for good bottles.