Stoneware bottle. Need ID of makers mark

[gallienus267]

Found this years ago while scuba diving in Hillsdale County, Michigan. The bottle has flat pannels all around it except along the very front where it is rounded. Incised in the neck are the letters A,N.S. I wound like to find out who ans was and age of bottle and possible original contents Thanks.

 

[gallienus267]

The front.

 

[gallienus267]

Back

 

[stonebottle]

I looked but could not find any reference to a stoneware bottler with initials "A.N.S." That bottle was made in a patented mold and would date to around 1870. This form usually held sarsaparilla (Like "Dr. Cronk's Sarsaparilla") or sometimes root beer. I have found that it is difficult to research a bottle that only has initials on it. Maybe someone else knows of an early beer or soda bottle with those initials. A nice find and definitely not a common one. stonebottle

 

[KentOhio]

The bottle was made in Akron, Ohio, but they sold empty bottles to several surrounding states.