I have no clue!

[Sunday]

Here is a pic of an interesting bottle with a round bottom. A friend of mine has two of them, and I am puzzled as to what they are, and what they're worth. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Mark

Picture cropped and reduced in size - please see Help - Using the Forum ---> Uploading a Picture - Admin

 

[Gunsmoke47]

Hi Mark, those are indeed called round bottom's. They are also referred to as Maughum's. They were made that way so the aerated water would always be in contact with the cork. If the cork was to get dry, the pressure could blow it out of the bottle. That particular bottle isn't worth much monetarily, probably $5.00-$10.00 , but they are a pretty cool bottle in my opinion. Hope this helps, Kelley

 

[slimdigger]

Gunsmoke, Some of the American round bottom and semi round bottom ginger ale bottles bring a premium. I agree with you that most round bottoms are common including the Ross's Belfast bottle that is pictured. Slimdigger

 

[cowseatmaize]

They are also known as "ballast bottles". It was thought that since so many were imported from England and Ireland the extra weight (thickness) of the glass would also stablize the ship. I have my doubts about that.

 

[kumtow]

Bottles were often transported as ballast. The shipping owner can fill his hold with transportable goods (bottles) that he is being paid to ship instead of filling his hold with useless rocks. Ballast was loaded and unloaded as often as the upper deck cargo. It all depended on how the ship sat in the water due to the overall weight of its cargo at the time.

 

[pudecat]

Hello Everyone,
I would like to know what this bottle I have had around for a long time is. On the bottom of the bottle it says patiented 1894. Three wooden figures are attached and circle the bottle. They are held on by metal bands. The bottle has a metal top that just slips down over the head cut top. Tthe bottle has a small piece out of it. It was like that when I found it.
Thanks for any information you can give me.
Kitty