DATING ACL SODA BOTTLES ... (PART I)

[SODAPOPBOB]

OWENS-ILLINOIS / DURAGLAS (A few Examples)

Please Note: As stated in my introduction, my intent here is to focus on the basics. There are many aspects to all of this that will not be covered. Plus, it is meant primarily for new/novice collectors. The so called oldtimers already know all or most of this stuff. However, even some of them may find it to be useful and of interest.

Following are a few examples of Owens-Illinois / Duraglas acls. And please be reminded that O-I and Duraglas 'merged' around 1940. So any acl with Duraglas on the base would be from 1940 or later. There may be exceptions to this rule, but none that I am aware of. And also bare in mind it is with the dates that we are concerned with here and not company history's.

Here we have an example of a 1948 bottle. But there is something a little different about this one. Can you see the difference without my pointing it out?

Notice this time there is no "I" in the center of the symbol. But rather there is a "dot" where the "I" normally is. I am not entirely sure when/why this dot is present, but it is clearly a 1948 bottle irregardless. If someone wishes to comment on the "center dot," please feel free to do so.

The other numbers, such as the G 94, are of no particular interest here and likely are mold numbers of some kind.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Next we have this example of a 1957 bottle. And for those of you with a sharp eye you will immediately notice something different about this one too.

This time the little < > symbol is gone and we have an 'I' in a circle instead ... like this ... (I)

Again, there may be exceptions. However, I do know that the (I) was first introduced in 1954.


Duraglas 7 (I) 57 = 1957

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Lastly ... (For the time being anyway) ... We have this example of a 1964 bottle. (Please excuse the poor photo). Notice they are still using the 'I' in a circle (I) but there is no "Duraglas." Another exception? I'm not sure, other than it is clearly a 1964 bottle ... "Nehi" to be specific. Note: I have very few 1960s Acl bottles. Most of mine are 1940s and 1950s.

23 (I) 64 = 1964

 

[morbious_fod]

There are three variations of the owens illinois mark. The v I was referring to is the second one where the I's top lines come out looking more like a V on both ends. The last one is the I with straight lines on each end.

http://www.fohbc.com/PDF_Files/Owens-Illinois_Lockhart.pdf

from this article.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Morb ~

Thank you. Exactly what I was looking for. Especially the link to Bill Lockhart's article. In all the research I've done I somehow missed seeing that one. I highly recommend it to all collectors both new and veteran. Additionally, I recall now those variation marks you referred to earlier, but my brain just couldn't visualize them at the moment.

This is just one example why I refer to you as "The Sage of Soda Bottle Lore."

Thanks again,

SPBOB

 

[morbious_fod]

Ok, ok the smoke you're blowing up my nether regions is getting in my eyes. LOL!

 

[Calbottlegirl]

Very cool thread!
One of the best books I ever checked out of the library was "Bottle makers and their marks".Going to see if I can find it again.
Jan

 

[bottleopop]

Calbottlegirl -

Here is an online bottle marks site. Here is another one.

While I'm at it, here's some other sites on dating soda bottles.

Here is an Owens-Illinois plant number (the number on the left) site with dates of operation.

Here is a website on the Glenshaw (G in a square) bottles dating scheme just below the lip of the bottle.

Here is another article on dating more general and older types of bottles. In there is an interesting link to a key (like a biological identification key) to bottle dating.

Here is another general bottle dating site with photos. There is a section to click on for "Dating Soda Bottles".

Here is another bottle dating site dedicated to pre-crown soda and beer bottles. Click on the Shapes, Bases, Lips, etc. to see the various dating schemes for these bottles.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

bottleopop ~

Thanks for taking an interest in this thread and for posting the various links. All of which are very helpful, especially for beginning collectors who this thread is primarily concerned with. In a way it's kind of funny because at the conclusion of this thread I intended to post all or most of the same exact links. But now, thanks to your much appreciated contribution, you saved me the time and need to do so.

Additionally, I would like to emphasize this thread is a full participation project and all members are welcome to contribute anything they feel will assist others in a easy and comprehensive method regarding the dating of ACL soda bottles. I mention this again because the scope of such a project can be more than one individual such as myself can possibly accomplish alone.

My next phase of this, and pretty much what I had in mind all along, is to show actual examples of the various bottles being discussed.

On the next page I will post a couple of photos of Glenshaw Glass acl bottles.

Thanks again to all, and bottleopop in particular.

SPBOB

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

~ THE GLENSHAW GLASS CO. ~

Typically recgonized by a base mark that has a capital 'G' in a box.

Glenshaw acl bottles can be a little difficult to date. Especially if you don't have a good eye or a good magnifying glass handy. On most Glenshaw bottles a very, very small letter is embossed beneath the upper lip and on the more rounded part on the top of the bottle.

For starters here is a photo of the base showing what what one of their maker's marks looks like.

Please note that the 1937 is not the date as to when this particular bottle was made, but rather is a mold number or some other coded number. The 8 has no particular interest here either.