Real or Fake GIX-40 Scroll Flask?

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Mayhem

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I currently have this littlebottle in my possession.Perhaps you saw it on eBay recently. I’ve only beenlooking at old glassperhaps 10 years so many of you are more experienced. Ilove a mystery and would love your opinion so let’sgo…

References:
1) McKearin / Wilson page 390 and a joining plate middlerowforth from right #11 – lists a sapphire blue Scroll Flask and referencesGIX-40in the flask charts. Height 2 ½”, Width 2 5/8” (typo? this would make theflaskwider than it is tall. I believe this should say 1 5/8”)

2) McKearin / Wilson page 374 and a joining plate middlerowfar right #10 – lists a colorless Scroll Flask with smooth bottom andathreaded neck for a screw cap. Height 2 15/16”, Width 1 ½”, Depth 13/16”.

3) McKearin / Wilson page 626 and a joining line drawingpage627 – lists a Miniature Scroll Flask that is 2 ½” tall, 1 ½” wide,verticalmedial rib, plain lip, oval base, pontil mark, Sapphire-blue, deep,Colorless.

Subject Flask:
Dimensions: Height 2 3/8”, Width 1 5/8”, Depth 13/16”.Heightis a little short (see Top below). Width and Depth seem to be right on.

Imperfections: It has a small potstone in the uppershoulder(see pic 1) and some flea bites on the top rim.

Texture: The glass has a very fine texture or “whittle” notvisible in the pictures. It looks like the pictures reveal swirls inthe glassthat the naked eye cannot see.

Color match: See attached examples. If you look at thebase,the thickest part of glass, it is a very close match to similar period bottles.

Top: I think much will be made regarding the top. Somehavespeculated it is a “burst top”. Correct me if I am wrong but isn’t thatacharacteristic of English inks? To me it appears as though the top edgesweregrinded to hide chips (see pic 3).

Base: Reference #1 indicates a pontil mark however reference#2 indicates a smooth bottom. Inconclusive.

Rarity: This is the only one I have ever seen. Whichisn’tsaying much but if it was a fake wouldn’t there be more around? Doesanyone outthere know someone who owns an original one of these?

Your opinion?

Thanks, Mayhem
 

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John Ruth

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Mayhem, I am a brand new member here and you are the reason I found Antique-bottles.net. I was trying to find out about my Minature flask I’ve had for 30 years or so which I bought at a Antique mall outside Niles Michigan. And Low and Behold the I see your flask. Mine is a Twin except for the top of mine is very rough, a “Burst Top” that I just read about. I always have wondered about my flask, like you I’ve never seen another one like it, not even in any of my Old Glass Books I have. I did read about the English connection with old penny ink bottles that have the Burst-Top. But I also read where American Early Glass company’s used the Burst-Top as early as the 1820’s. So I guess I’m hoping you found something out. Could ours be English? Why didn’t they take the time to finish the Top after they took it out of the Mold? I Hope you have an answer for me but if not I’m not giving up. What little Beauties they are. I wish I could have had answers for you. Take Care Mayhem, my New Friend.
 
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sandchip

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I'd probably ask someone like Matt Lacy. If anybody can tell you, he can.
 

John Ruth

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sandchip, thank you, please bear with me but I’m new here so how do I contact Matt Lacy? I don’t mean to be a Dummy
 

sandchip

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sandchip, thank you, please bear with me but I’m new here so how do I contact Matt Lacy? I don’t mean to be a Dummy
Best way is on Facebook or better yet, just join and post it on American Historical Flasks (also on FB). A lot of knowledgable folks there.
 

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