Sarsaparilla Anyone?

[Nana40]

I have been out hunting a couple of times over the past week and just couldn't seem to find anything interesting enough to make a post. Lisa and I went to the old park last week and got a purdy good bullet and a trigger! Found the key and the change there too. Then yesterday was just too nice not to go out for a couple of hours, so we went back over to where the old cemetery is to look around a bit. Got the nice round bullet and what looks like some sort of rock that might was going to be an arrow? and the usual farm stuff.

Then today was just perfect so around noon we let out for the old Dr's house. This is the same site that I went to last year and found nothing but parts of relics. Today we went with a plan to find another structure that shows up on the 1892 map.

We searched for a couple of hours without finding anything worth mentioning. Headed down to the old house and began searching there. Still the same ole same ole...the place with all the poison ivy and rattlesnakes..... except......the rock wall that surrounded the house was gone!

I got to thinking about all the stuff that could have fallen in behind the rocks over the years, so I started detecting there. Got a good signal, bent down to dig yet another something-or-other. While I was bent over digging I had spotted the tip of a bottle sticking out of the side of the bank. Started diggin it out and it's not broken!!!! I was so happy! Hollered for Lisa to come and help me dig and found another one!!!!

Only two found today along with lots and lots of broken pottery, but you know we're gonna go back with a shovel!!!!

The bottles are Ayer's Sarsaparilla and Dr. Kilmer's Swamp Root.

Now.....how do I get the stains out of the inside of them?

Nana

 

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[Bavaria Mike]

Nice bottles and a nice looking site! I was going to suggest soaking in bleach and soapy water, get one of those small brushes. Was there an outhouse close by? Had to be going back into the 1800s. Good luck, have fun and HH, Mike

 

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[Trash Digger]

Very nice bottles, Nana. I would definitely be out to that site again.

Mike

 

[dave-enc]

cool finds nana wtg
hh
dave+bobbie

 

[Charlene]

WoooHOOoo Nana!!! wonderful hunt that produced some lovely treasures for you, congrats. Last time I was out I ran into some sassafras growing, cut a couple of roots stuck them in my pocket. Later that afternoon my son's girlfriend kept walking by me saying she smelled something sweet.. all this time I've been spending big bucks on perfume when a sassafras root will do.

The scenery is beautiful Nana, thanks for sharing the pictures. Keep up the good work, the ladies are in the swing!

 

[Ridley]

Excellent bottles Nana.

I'd be curious to know what they're worth. They will make a beautiful display.

Congratulations.


Ridley

 

[ghostrider1775]

Nice digs NANA!!!, a little bleach and water and let it soke for a day has helped me clean my old bottles. Good Luck

 

[ModernMiner]

Nana,
What a great post. I love those bottles! Thanks for the pictures. I remember as a kid going to get a Sarsaparilla at an old time ice cream shop in town. He would mix the syrup with the carbonated water. Great times.
As far as cleaning the bottles, I had great success on mine with putting a handful of aquarium gravel , a squirt of dish soap, and some water inside. Just keep shaking it, turning it, and shaking some more. The whole inside should come clean. I attached the before and after of the early 1900 bottle I found.
Good luck and CONGRATS on such a cool find.
-MM-

 

[cryptodave]

Nana, those are awesome bottles!

Here is some great info on the Swamp Root bottle: http://www.bottlebooks.com/drkilmer.htm
And here is some info on the story of Kilmer, his company and legacy: http://www.antiquebottles.com/kilmer.html

And here is a nice little ad card for Ayers: http://www.rubylane.com/ni/shops/noahsatticantiques/iteml/R828x3a2#pic1



Both bottles are, unfortunately, quite common... But they would be total keepers for me!

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Thats a great find Nana and I love the spot you are digging....But I would be dragging those daffodil bulbs home also.
I bought some denture cleaner tablets from the dollar store and crumble them into the water filled bottle and let set over night and they take all stains out including rust .

 

[downindixie]

Nana,Try some LCR for the inside of the bottles.I have also used soapy water and aquarim gravel.Put in bottle and shake.

 

[patpall22]

Thats a beautiful bottle. love the rainbow patina. I have been hunting bottles since I was in fourth grade and a bottle like yours would be one of my favorits. I know you allready did a great job cleaning it, but I agree with stoney that using rice, or better yet copper BB,s with a little oxyclean to clean them nice. I love your pics of the old field, makes me wish I was there now.

 

[paul1410]

Bravo Nana!! Excellent post and pics. Made me feel like I was out in the field with you. Thanks!

 

[trk5capt]

Nana, Way To Go, Congrats. Don't Know How I Missed This One... trk5capt...

 

[aa battery]

Purdy!!!

 

[northeast hunter]

Hay Nana way to go great finds glad to see you are still at it..best of luck on your future finds.

 

[bongo1962]

Beauty finds, killer cleaning info at " www.privydigger.com " Bongo


One Mans Trash is Another Mans Treasure

 

[Daisy]

Great post Nana! Thanks for sharing!

 

[arkhunter]

good work nana........love the area as much as your finds

 

[musclecar]

Nana, I love those old bottles, keep it up!

HH
MC

 

[Nana40]

@#%%^J(%@ !!!!!!!!

OK ya'll. I have tried cleaning these bottles with: clorox and water....CLR....BB's and dish soap/water....denture tablets.......poked tiny little pieces of cloth on the end of a coat hanger round and a round....I have one more option. Brillo pad. Have to visit the market and get one.
My arms are tired and the bottles still have stains, but by golly they smell really nice!

Thanks for all the suggestions and links!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Nana