Odd closures are so AWESOME!!!!!

[sandchip]

Great stuff, Unc!

 

[ROBBYBOBBY64]

I will do that someday Mjbottle

I think a lot of people would love to see and contribute to a closure post.
ROBBYBOBBY64.

 

[nhpharm]

Anyone interested in odd closures should buy Saving the Fizz by David Jones. Incredible book.

 

[UncleBruce]

I nearly forgot about this thread until just recently when I added a new example of a beer bottle to the collection. Upon receiving it I was a bit stunned in that it still had an intact closure type mechanism. I had not expected this as I was simply interested in the bottle itself. This beer bottle looks like it may have been used only a single time in its life. It is super shiny, no wear at all even on the base, body surfaces or on the high points of its embossing. After a period of contemplation I've decided that the mechanism on this bottle is genuine, correct and original. This type mechanism was possibly one of the top five successful closures ever invented. The PUTNAM wire closure was designed to simply hold a CORK in place to keep the contents sealed in and prevent the CORK from being force out. So successful Henry W. Putnam became a major force in the bottle industry. The only drawback was it still required a secondary device to remove the cork. The beauty of it was that it was extremely easy to install compared to the older methods of securing a bottle cork. Notice on this FRED. MILLER BREWING CO. beer that the blob is somewhat taller than the later blob tops and it reminds me more of a whiskey bottle top. Enjoy the photos below, which include a shot of Patent #23263 for the PUTNAM mechanism and the MILLER beer bottle. PS: the cork itself is not original to the bottle, just the mechanism.

 

[hemihampton]

Cool, I got a couple of those. Question, would these type of Bottles say Putnam on Bottom. I've seen & have some that do say Putnam on Bottom but those don't have a intact Closure? LEON.

 

[hemihampton]

Bruce, What kinda Closure would of been on this rare oddball Bottle with extra Bulge on neck? Bottom half of Rusty Closure was there when dug but top half of closure must of rusted away? LEON.

 

[UncleBruce]

Bruce, What kinda Closure would of been on this rare oddball Bottle with extra Bulge on neck? Bottom half of Rusty Closure was there when dug but top half of closure must of rusted away? LEON.

I'm not sure it resembles a Joseph Conner blob, but I don't think it is. It is way cool. Any way to get a few closeups of the blob?

 

[UncleBruce]

Paraphrasing from SODA & BEER CLOSURES by David Graci:
Joseph Conner invented the BULBOUS TOP, but used a different cork retainer/stopper. John Matthews at some point acquired the patent improved the stopper by using a metallic stopper with a rubber seal. I have always called these Joseph Conner blobs, but MATTHEWS/CONNER may be more appropriate. Doesn't really matter as it is still a great blob style. Here is an example from the collection and a copy of the two documents on the closure.
GEORGE EHRET'S LAGER BEER
BOTTLED BY LOUIS RUSH
New York, NY

PATENTS #127851 and #172757

 

[hemihampton]

Sorry for delay, did not notice you asked for close up until now. Thanks for the info. LEON.

P.S. Notice my wire was under first bulge instead of 2nd bulge?

 

[UncleBruce]

Sorry for delay, did not notice you asked for close up until now. Thanks for the info. LEON.

I really haven't got a clue on this one. What do you know about the company? Are there any maker marks? What did the closure look like and do you still have it?