I have some questions about Ball jars that need answering.

[Step Back In Time]

I'm looking for information on two Ball Jars. One is a aqua Ball Perfect Mason jar with side grips and the other is a Ball Improved. I was wondering what the approximate dates are and how rare they are? I also have a question about the lids. One has milk glass in the lid and the other is just a metal band with a clear glass insert. If a jar has the milk glass one does that mean it's older? Also the clear one is a lid from a Crown jar. It has a number 45 under the crown and some of the other lids I have had the Dominion Glass Company logo along with a number. Is that the year the lids were made? The milk glass lid is actually a Boyd's. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[texkev]

I'm not great with ball jars. I don't think these are worth much like the first run ones. Ebay actually can give you an idea on what these sell for.
Blue, 1913 - 1922
Clear, 1923 - 1933

number on the bottom is the mold number

 

[Step Back In Time]

Thanks for the help. Do you know anything about the lids and how to date them?

 

[jarsnstuff]

Your glass insert is for a Canadian Crown jar, so is not correct for a Ball Improved. That would take an unmarked insert with concentric circles.
The logo style tells me your Ball Improved jar was made 1923-1933
The Ball Perfect Mason with gripper ribs was 1933 to 1939. In 1939, Ball discontinued producing the blue jars.

 

[Step Back In Time]

Thanks for the info. That's very helpful.

 

[bottlebuddy]

The other lid is not milk glass, it is porcelain on the inside & the lid is made of zinc. These are know as porcelain lined zinc cap lids and are common closures for many old fruit jars. I hope this helps you out, & thank you for sharing.

 

[Step Back In Time]

That definitely helps me out. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[bottlebuddy]

Some of the porcelain lined zinc cap lids will be embossed on the inside..... Genuine Porcelain Lined Zinc Cap for Ball Jars. Or.. Boyd's Genuine Porcelain Lined Zinc Cap For Mason Jars. Glad to be of help, & welcome to the forum.

 

[Step Back In Time]

So a Boyd's lid is not original to a Ball jar right?

 

[mrechenard]

I'm looking for information on two Ball Jars. One is a aqua Ball Perfect Mason jar with side grips and the other is a Ball Improved. I was wondering what the approximate dates are and how rare they are? I also have a question about the lids. One has milk glass in the lid and the other is just a metal band with a clear glass insert. If a jar has the milk glass one does that mean it's older? Also the clear one is a lid from a Crown jar. It has a number 45 under the crown and some of the other lids I have had the Dominion Glass Company logo along with a number. Is that the year the lids were made? The milk glass lid is actually a Boyd's. Any help is greatly appreciated.

There is the Red Book #13 for fruit jars. It is a good resource. also, https://glassbottlemarks.com/ball-bros-glass-company/ . additionally
This will make a nice FAQ project. Let's see if we can get pictures for all of these!
The following comes from FJN September 1990, page 536
"Years ago I made up the table below as a rough guideline, and it still seems
to be useful now. But remember, it is only a guide - not absolute fact." [Dick Roller]

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1880s PORCELAIN LINED CAP FOR MASON FRUIT JARS stamped into top.
BALL BRO's GLASS MF'G CO. BUFFALO N.Y. embossed on liner.
[Note - two styles of lettering on top and two sizes of lettering
on liner are known. On some midget caps, the N.Y. may be missing
on liner. One midget cap has been reported with a vertical lug
on the side.]

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1890s PORCELAIN LINED CAP FOR MASON FRUIT JARS stamped into top.
Liner unembossed.

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1900s PORCELAIN LINED CAP FOR MASON FRUIT JARS stamped into top.
Liner unembossed.
GENUINE BOYD CAP FOR MASON JARS stamped into top.
Liner unembossed.

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1910s Caps unmarked - ??

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1920s Caps unmarked - ??
GENUINE ZINC CAP FOR BALL MASON JARS embossed on liner.

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1930s Larger Ball (script) embossed on top. [two styles of lettering]
GENUINE ZINC CAP FOR BALL MASON JARS embossed on liner.

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1940s Smaller Ball (script) embossed on top.
GENUINE ZINC CAP FOR BALL MASON JARS embossed on liner.

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1950s-1970s Smaller Ball (script) embossed on top.
Liner unembossed.