William H. Baxter Water Works?

[mr2real]

I seen a couple of these on eBay that claim 1890's. Neither had the steel ball inside like this one. Would this be a common and what is the purpose of the steel ball? Is the circa 1890 right?

 

[mr2real]

 

[mr2real]

 

[cyberdigger]

I'm afraid it's more like 1990's.. made in India, where these are still in use, or at least not illegal.. I recently picked up one of these myself for 10 bucks, thinking it was an "original" in amazingly good shape.. well, it's a real codd.. that's for sure!
..the purpose of the ball is to enclose the contents through the use of the pressure exerted by the carbonation of the beverage itself.. the "fizz" forced the marble to stay stuck in the rubber inside the lip, and provided a seal.. to open the bottle, you had to poke the marble down so it would fall in and then, to pour the drink out, you had to catch the marble in the groove on the side.. kinda clever, but America didn't exactly embrace the design..[8|]

 

[mr2real]

I gonna pour some sprite in it, flip it upside-down quickly, and shake it side to side.

 

[cyberdigger]

Well? Don't keep us in suspense!! []