This is a bottle my brother found while tearing apart an old trailer when he was working for a trailer park.....The old woman....

[MI$$OURI BETTY]

had died and the trailer stood empty for two years until Everett and another guy tore it down. The other man found two or three bottles and my brother found this one. He didn't give me the measurements and the top of the bottle isn't completely shown on the pic he sent me to scan! Around the middle stripe are the words: MCGIVERS AMERICAN ARMY
BITTERS BOTTLE

On the bottom of bottle is: WHEATON N.J.

Any information would be appreciated on this bottle or where I could find info about it!

Thanks & God Bless!
Betty


[attachment 14763 Scan0002.jpg]

 

[Pete in MI]

Here's what I found:
http://www.bottlebooks.com/questions/Oct2000/October2000.htm

excerpt below

"I found what I believe is an antique bottle at a thrift store. It is green, shaped like a snare drum (with snares) on the bottom and then has "bubbles" embossed on the top half. The neck is tapered. There is a very obvious mold seam. The bottom has a pontil mark. Around the top of the "snare drum" the words "McGivers American Army Bitters Bottle" followed by three stars. I will send a picture if you think its worth it. Thank you."

"The bottle is modern reproduction of a real old bottle. Yours is probably a Wheaton bottle. See the article on my home page about them."

His home page is: http://www.bottlebooks.com/

Wheaton Bottles: http://www.bottlebooks.com/reproduc.htm
(shows a pic of the Army Bottle)

Here's another link: http://www.goantiques.com/detail,wheaton-bitter-bottle,145555.html

On eBay they have some for sale:
http://cgi.ebay.com/American-Army-Bitters_W0QQitemZ6242641536QQcategoryZ13918QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Hope that helps Betty

 

[Joe G]

Hey Betty,

I think what you have there is a 70's ? commemorative reproduction of a bottle that was made in the 1800's. They are all over the internet and ebay. I'm still trying to figure out how to know if it's the real thing but I'll do a little searching the next time I have the time... Does it have a seam running down the side?

<img src=http://i21.ebayimg.com/04/i/05/82/db/37_1.JPG> <img src=http://www.mouseandmore.com/images/miscandnondisney/bottledrumgrapes.jpg>

<b> The Origins of Bitters

Bitters were alcohol disguised as medicine. The practice of adding a small amount of herbal bitters to gin in order that it might be sold without taxation under the guise of medicinal liquor appears to have originated in England. Bottled bitters became popular in this country in the period from1850-1870, when a bitters binge was spurred on by laws which taxed liquor, the popularity of various temperance movements, and local restrictions on the liquor trade. In turn many liquor manufacturers began marketing their products in a wide variety of products. Stomach bitters were very popular. The makers of Hostetter's Stomach Bitters made millions of dollars. The product was even shipped to the Union troop by the boxcar load during the Civil War. Bitters bottles were sometimes put up in figural shaped bottles. These are highly collectible today. Bitters bottles can be found in the shape of cannons, pigs, Indians, cabins and barrels. Today old bottle collectors prize these containers. More than a 1000 different brands are known.

 

[Mike from MI "Iron Brigade"]

Joe and Pete got plenty of info for ya. All I can say is look for a seam or mold line. If it goes all the way up to the top of the opening then it is early 1900's to modern.

 

[Mike Chgo area]

n/t

 

[Joe G]

The reproductions look pretty good, but there is a seam.

 

[MI$$OURI BETTY]

n/t