Ginger beer bottle usage

[Johnny Lloyd]

Citizens-

I have recently purchased an original "ginger beer" bottle. To my understanding of non-military goods, these bottles were sometimes used for things other than ginger beer as well (i.e.- whiskey, real beer, etc.)

Is it authentic to use this item to carry anything but ginger beer? Any research to support/deny this?

Thanks- Johnny Reb

[Virginia Mescher]

Re: Ginger beer bottle usage

Citizens-

I have recently purchased an original "ginger beer" bottle. To my understanding of non-military goods, these bottles were sometimes used for things other than ginger beer as well (i.e.- whiskey, real beer, etc.)

Is it authentic to use this item to carry anything but ginger beer? Any research to support/deny this?

Thanks- Johnny Reb

I cant' support "junk bottles" being used in the military but if you do an advanced search in Google Book in the full view for the years you want, there are lots of citations for the uses of "junk bottles" and that is just what a used ginger beet bottle would be.

There are several reasons, I would use a word of caution about using an original ginger beer bottle. You don't know what type of glaze was used and it could be lead based; you don't know what has been in the bottle in the past; I discourage using original artifacts because once they are broken they can't be replaced; and finally, there are places to purchases very good reproduction period ginger beer bottles.

[BrettKIllinois]

Re: Ginger beer bottle usage

When I was doing archeology with the local historical society we tried to locate trash dumps at an illinois recruitment / training camp for 8th IL cav and other units... we found loads of those beer bottles in other miscellaneous pint sized bottles etc... I don't know of anyone reproducing that sort of glass but I certainly have plenty of glass and crocks of the period I have picked up antique.

[Chessa]

Re: Ginger beer bottle usage

Is this what you're talking about?




I bought this in May at McDowell thinking it would be good to carry my water around in when I'm doing a lower class impression. Hearing that it might have lead in the glaze is slightly disturbing...

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Ginger beer bottle usage

Ma'am-

Yep, you're dead-on with the picture. That's what I have. I think mine is a well-made repro. Heck, If I smacked it against a wall, I dare say it wouldn't break.

Virginia and all: what originally came in these bottles besides "ginger beer"? Was it a general purpose bottle for anything? would it have had a label of any sort?

Mine has a period Guinness Beer label I pasted on it. Probably not correct, unfortunately... but hopeful... :( lol


Thanks- Johnny

[Chessa]

Re: Ginger beer bottle usage

Mine wouldn't break either. Its about an 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch thick.

Where did you get the repro? Drinking lead just doesn't sound like a bright idea to me ;)