Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Embossed Lettering or Markings
Examine the bottle closely. If there are embossed words or lettering, the bottle is most likely from after the 1850s.
Read the words on all sides -- medicine bottles often have a doctor's name on it, or the name of an herb, tincture, remedy or compound. Some from the early- to mid-1900s have the name of a drug store embossed on them.
Check the bottom and sides of the bottle. If your bottle says "Federal law prohibits the sale or reuse of this bottle," it is a liquor bottle that was made between 1932 and 1964.
Seamed or Seamless
Examine the sides of the bottle. If there is no seam and the bottle is a bit irregularly shaped, it is most likely handmade from blown glass. Newer bottles are made in molds and will have seams. The type of seam will help determine the age.
Examine any side seams. If the seams end below the lip and mouth area of the bottle and there are no horizontal seams on the sides of the bottle, it is most likely a blown-in-mold bottle. This type of design is commonly found on bottles from the early 1800s through the early 1900s.
Determine if there is another seam horizontally across the shoulder of the bottle. This seam would go all the way around the bottle parallel to the bottom. This type is called a three-piece mold, which was first put into use in 1814. These types of bottles were common through the late 1800s. If a seam goes all the way to the top of your bottle, including the lip area, your bottle is newer than 100 years old.
Shapes and Colors
Investigate the shape and color of your bottle by comparing it to photos in reference materials. If the bottle has elongated, pointy designs similar to church cathedral windows and squared sides, for instance, it is most likely a pickle bottle.
Determine if your bottle has bright colors and sharp edges or ridges. If it does, it may be a poison bottle. Poison bottles are often brightly colored in ways to differentiate them from other household items. Cobalt blue, amber and bright red were common colors for poison bottles. Some poison bottles also have the word "poison" embossed on them, or are shaped in unique forms such as a coffin shape.
Determine if your bottle has a shape similar to a cabin, barrel, Indian maiden or ear of corn. If it does, or if it is dark brown and has horizontal ridges, it is most likely a bitters bottle. Bitters bottles come in many shapes, sizes and colors but usually feature at least one of the above traits.