(1929-to date)
(Owens-Illinois, Inc. ~ since 1965)
This corporation is now generally known simply as “O-I”.
Owens-Illinois Glass Company was the result of the 1929 merger between two glass-making giants of the industry: Owens Bottle Company (Toledo, OH – predecessor Toledo Glass Company began operation in 1896) and Illinois Glass Company (based in Alton, Illinois, with glass production dating from 1873). See this page on Illinois Glass Company’s “I in a diamond” trademark.
Formerly headquartered at Toledo, OH; now based at Perrysburg, OH, Owens-Illinois, Inc. had (and has) many glass manufacturing locations worldwide. (See list of 20 currently operating glass container plants in North America, farther down on this page).
Known as Owens-Illinois, Inc. since 1965, (and officially known as just “O-I” since 2005), this corporation is currently (2024) the largest manufacturer of glass containers in the world.
“Diamond and oval with I inside” trademark
Several trademarks have been used over the years by Owens-Illinois. Shown on this page are pictures of typical trademark variations used on glass containers, especially during the early years. Most of the pics show the first and most widely recognized mark used, beginning in 1929.
As pictured, it can vary slightly from one container to another. This mark consists of a “Diamond and O (oval) entwined, with an I in the center” and dates from 1929 into the middle and late 1950s. (Latest confirmed date code with this older trademark embossed on a bottle is 1966). The mark may not have been, in actual practice, engraved onto all their bottle molds (in their inventory or being used at that time) until sometime in the year 1930, simply because of the time and effort involved in re-tooling/altering large numbers of molds already in use. The mark is sometimes misinterpreted as the representation of an “eye” or of the planet Saturn.
Although author and researcher Julian Toulouse, in his ground-breaking reference work “Bottle Makers and their Marks” (published in 1971) promoted the idea that the diamond and oval trademark was used only up to 1954, implying a neat, clean “cut-off date”, in actual practice many bottles with this mark have been found that date several years after 1954. (More info, below, in the paragraph on the “I inside an O” trademark).
On very small bottles, the mark may be rather indistinct and the “I” may be virtually invisible, or just a tiny dot. It may be misinterpreted as the number “1”.
On the typical bottle, there is usually a number to the left of, to the right of, and below, the trademark. (Note: The above arrangement is the most commonly seen, at least on soda bottles, but some containers, such as liquor flasks, are frequently marked in other ways and thus the codes may be arranged in a different configuration. See the paragraph on this page below, titled “Liquor Bottle Permit Numbers”).
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PLANT LOCATION CODE NUMBERS
Typically, the number on the LEFT of the diamond logo is the plant location code number, the number on the RIGHT is a year date code, and the number below the logo (if present) indicates the mold number (mold identifying number, “mold cavity number” or serial number). NOTE: this arrangement generally applies to Non-Liquor bottles. On many liquor bottles made by Owens-Illinois, the number on the left is a Liquor Bottle Permit Number, not a plant location code. Please see the paragraph farther down for more info on this subject).
For example, plant code #2 stood for the Huntington, WV plant; “3″ indicated the Fairmont, West Virginia plant (that number was used up to 1981, later “3” was used by Muskogee, Oklahoma); “4” was Clarksburg, West Virginia; “7″ indicated Alton, Illinois; “9″, the Streator, Illinois factory; “12″ was Gas City, Indiana; “14″ was the Bridgeton, New Jersey plant, #21 is Portland, Oregon; #22 is Tracy, California; #20 is Oakland, CA; #23 is Los Angeles, CA, etc.
Note: Several of the plant numbers used by O-I were re-used by other plants that opened in later years, so it is important to take into consideration the date code, the bottle style and other characteristics to positively identify which plant location made a particular bottle.
For more info with a more extensive, detailed chart of known Owens-Illinois plant location codes, please check out the article by Bill Lockhart and Russ Hoenig at this URL:
The Bewildering Array of Owens-Illinois Glass Co. Logos and Codes.
DATE CODES
As stated above, a date code usually appears to the right of the Owens-Illinois logo. On many bottles, a single-digit date code along with the “Diamond/Oval/I” mark may indicate the 1930s. From information compiled in Bill Lockhart’s article (link below) on Owens-Illinois’ date code markings, it appears that, on containers with this earliest trademark, if a single digit date code (such as a “1 or “4” placed to the right of the logo) is followed by a period, the chances are very good the bottle in question dates from the 1940s, especially the 1940-1947 period. However, there are some exceptions to this general rule, and single-digit date codes were also used in later decades along with the later “I inside an O” mark (but without a period placed to the right of the code).
Most bottles from the late 1940s into the 1950s and 1960s have two-digit date codes.
NOTE: any bottle which is also marked with the brand name/ trademark DURAGLAS dates from 1940 or after, never before that year. This can help narrow down the production date of some glass containers.
THE “I INSIDE AN OVAL” or “I INSIDE AN O” TRADEMARK
The second primary mark used by Owens-Illinois Glass Company was phased in during the mid-1950s with the removal of the diamond. Julian Toulouse (Bottle Makers and their Marks, 1971), states this mark was used beginning in the year 1954. Trademark information does indicate the mark was in use beginning March 1, 1954 (see link to Justia page below). However, research over the years has shown there was actually a gradual changeover from the “old” to the “new” trademark on containers beginning in 1954, in actual practice, which occurred over a period of four or five years or more. In fact, some bottles with the “old” mark are documented as bearing date codes as late as 1966! (See note below discussing a bottle made in 1966 which carries the “old” trademark on the base!).
Some bottle molds already in use were not re-engraved until as late as 1957, 1958, 1959, even, as mentioned, in 1966. However, after about 1958 the great majority of O-I containers carried the “new” (second) principal trademark, which merely consists of an I inside an oval, or circle. On some bottles this mark is very tiny or indistinct, often looking like a small “0” (a zero, or the letter O) with the “I” in the center that’s hard to discern.
According to the trademark information shown on this page from the Justia.com site (link below), this mark was apparently still in use as late as August 15, 2016. The mark was officially “cancelled” as of March 16, 2020. There may have been a long date “overlap” with this mark and the following mark (O-I), in which both marks seem to have been in simultaneous use by Owens-Illinois.
https://trademarks.justia.com/716/85/oi-71685923.html
“O-I” trademark
The “O-I” mark (being the third major trademark embossed on the company’s glass containers) was officially registered by the United States Patent & Trademark Office on March 20, 2007, under registration #3219434. “First use” of this mark is claimed to have been on December 17, 1997, according to information posted on the justia.com website, here:
https://trademarks.justia.com/785/97/o-78597477.html
This trademark is in current use on most Owens-Illinois glass containers made within the United States (as of 2024).
“OWENS” appears on the base of some clear prescription bottles. Illustrated among the pics on this page is the base of a bottle made at the Columbus, Ohio facility (plant #18) with a date code of “7” which in this case probably stands for 1937. I don’t know how late the word “OWENS” was embossed as a trademark on the base of those medicine bottles.
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LIQUOR BOTTLE PERMIT NUMBERS
IMPORTANT NOTE: Many liquor bottles and flasks made by Owens-Illinois have a DIFFERENT mold code configuration on the base, as compared to the way the numbers are arranged on most other types of bottles they made. Typically, the bottle is marked with a number known as a “Liquor Bottle Permit Number” followed by a dash and a second number which is the date code – indicating the year the bottle was made. Many liquor bottles made by Owens-Illinois have the “Diamond and Oval with an I” logo embossed sideways on the base of the container.
For a list of liquor bottle permit numbers assigned to many glass companies in the United States after 1935, please check out this page I recently added to my site:
Liquor Bottle Permit Numbers – Numerical List.
NOTE: In July of 2013 I received a photo, submitted by Taylor McBurney, showing the base of a Yacht Club Beverages ACL soda bottle, carrying a 1966 date code, but bearing the old logo! This is the very latest instance of use of the “old” O-I mark that I am aware of. Presumably, when this particular mold was pulled out of the storeroom, and used to produce some more bottles (probably for a relatively small order), it wasn’t considered important enough to take the time to re-engrave the trademark. Update: (posted October 1, 2019) – also check out the base photo of a possible 1978 bottle, shown farther down on this page. There is also a photo of a bottle base (submitted by Crystal Arant) that appears to be from 1968 or 1969!
Other marks include “ILLINOIS”, a brand name apparently used for a line of prescription bottles (similar to their bottles marked “OWENS”); “DURAGLAS” a trademark used after 1940 which is embossed on innumerable bottles of many types; and “LOWEX” another brand name which was used for their borosilicate glass formula employed especially for power line insulators. For more information on the brand name Duraglas, you might want to check out my page here:
Duraglas trademark on bottles.
Although Owens-Illinois has made containers of many different shades of color over the years, the great majority of glass bottles commonly found (especially older containers that show up often at flea markets, antique malls, yard sales, junk shops, ebay, etc) are found in clear (colorless), green (emerald, forest green or “seven up” green) and amber (“beer bottle brown”) glass.
The “Diamond & oval with I” mark is by far the most common identification mark on glass containers found in trash dump sites in the United States from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. (The second most common mark encountered is probably the “Large H over small A” used by Hazel-Atlas Glass Company.)
Electrical Insulators
Owens-Illinois took over operation of the Hemingray Glass Company factory, located in Muncie, Indiana, in 1933. Hemingray was a prolific maker of electrical insulators (of many types and sizes) for power lines, telegraph, telephone and other uses. Within a year or two, most glass insulators produced at Muncie were carrying date codes. Owens-Illinois continued to have the great majority of insulators marked with the “HEMINGRAY” brand name, with very few exceptions in later years. Other brand names used by O-I on insulators include “Lowex” and “Kimble“. Many millions of insulators were made at Muncie, the very last being manufactured in the year 1967. (Please see my webpage on the Hemingray Glass Company for more information on Hemingray insulators.)
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Owens-Illinois Inc. currently [2020] operates 20 glass manufacturing facilities within North America. They are located in: Atlanta, Georgia; Auburn, New York; Brockway, Pennsylvania [2 plants]; Ringgold, Virginia; Lapel, Indiana; Los Angeles, California; Muskogee, Oklahoma; Kalama, Washington (plant acquired in 2015, formerly Bennu Glass); Oakland, California; Portland, Oregon; Streator, Illinois; Toano, Virginia; Tracy, California; Waco, Texas; Zanesville, Ohio; Lexington, North Carolina; Windsor, Colorado; and in Canada: Montreal, Quebec and Brampton, Ontario.
For more detailed discussion on Owens-Illinois Glass Company and their date codes, and a detailed, updated chart of O-I plant location codes, please check out this comprehensive article written by Bill Lockhart and Russ Hoenig: The Bewildering Array of Owens-Illinois Glass Co. Logos and Codes.
Click here for a page from O-I’s official website:
https://www.o-i.com/our-story/how-glass-bottles-and-jars-are-made/
Note: For a webpage on this site with an extensive list of glass companies that made electrical insulators (which are now considered collectible items), please check out this page: Glass Insulator Manufacturers .
Click here to go to the alphabetical listings of trademarks found on bottles, jars, insulators and tableware: Glass Bottle Marks (starting here with Page One).
Please click here to go to my website Home Page.
Please check out my summary page on Sea Glass / Beach Glass. Many older Owens-Illinois bottle and jar bases might be found among so-called “Beach Glass”.
Here are a couple other webpages on my site that might be of interest, as I included a few pics of Owens-Illinois bottles and bases on them:
“Federal Law Forbids Sale or Reuse of the Bottle” marking on liquor bottles.
Numbers seen on the bases of Glass Bottles and jars.
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Found a brown jar/bottle with the 4 io 0 and 11. Below with the number 500 under that. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Hi Tom, I sent a direct email to you but have not heard back. Please check your Junk/ Spam folders in case it was directed there by accident.
I wanted to see photos of that bottle. Unfortunately my site isn’t configured correctly to allow readers to upload photos directly to the Comments section. Thank you!
David
Found a bottle by a lake in eastern SD. Half pint
DI
55-41
Sam, sounds like you found a World War II era bottle. I presume it is also marked “Federal Law forbids sale or reuse of this bottle”. The “D-1” is a distiller identification code number. The “55-41” indicates it was manufactured at Owens-Illinois’ Huntington, WV plant. (Huntington’s official liquor bottle permit number was 55). The “41” is a date code for 1941.
Thanks for the post,
Best regards,
David
I came across a jar out in a field today with this mark. The plant code, date code, and mold number were all 7! Lucky me!
Thanks Lance!
I thought that was neat, and added your pic to the Owens Illinois article.
~David
Have a clear shard, side panel only LI. heel Reg 610617, bottom 56 owens symbol date code 41 bottom # R-514 on top of all this is a mean looking dog mouth open with teeth, curious thanks
Hi Kevin,
You have a piece of a Gordon’s Dry Gin bottle. The weird animal with teeth is supposed to be a wild boar (their trademark), although sometimes you have to use your imagination to see it! The “56” is a liquor bottle permit number that shows the bottle was made at the Owens-Illinois Glass Company factory at Charleston, West Virginia, yes, in the year 1941.
Hope this helps,
David
Thanks so much great info
Hi David I found a glass bottle on the beach today with marking on the bottom. It’s a 9 then an I with a circle around it then a 6 and under that the number 2
Hi Kev,
The dating on that bottle can be tricky but I’m assuming the “6” is a date code for 1956. It’s possible it’s for 1966. The “9” does tell us the bottle was made at their Streator, Illinois factory. The “2” is a mold number.
~David
Hello! I found a Four Roses whisky half pint on the beach. There is still remnants of the gold label on the front with black script and a State of California seal. On the bottom of the bottle is the diamond/oval stamp (no i) with 56 on the left of the D/O and 6 on the right, but no period. Would I be correct in assuming that this bottle is from 1940, by using your list of the liquor permit numbers?
Hello Rachel,
The “6” to the right of the Diamond/oval trademark is a date code. That date code stands for either 1936 (most likely) or 1946. The bottle was not made in 1940. I am sorry but there has been some misunderstanding about the permit number list because of the years I have listed (in parentheses) immediately to the right of each permit number. For readers, here is the page being referred to: https://glassbottlemarks.com/glass-industry-liquor-bottle-permit-numbers-numerical-list/
The years in parentheses don’t represent the beginning or ending dates of a company, or the year any particular bottle was made, but merely indicate that the glass company was included in a list of permit numbers that was published or updated that year. So the permit number was likely used for many years before and/or after the year given in parentheses. Sorry for any confusion. I explain this in the text, but it is easily missed by readers. Thanks for writing, and I hope this helps! Take care,
David
Hi David!
Bottle found today deep in the ground of my 1905 home. Aquamarine wide mouth external thread bottle with three indented panels on each side. Bottom is a hexagon shape with 3 markings (left to right) 8, square with an O, and 8. Measures 6.5″ tall, 6.5″ diameter and 2.5″ across hexagon bottle. Any help identifying appreciated as I cannot find anything like it with my own research. Bottle is in amazing condition!
https://imgur.com/a/9kvfjSI
https://imgur.com/a/Q8oreg4
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for including the links to photos of the bottle! That is a bottle style most closely associated with horseradish. Although horseradish was packaged in many different shaped bottles over the years, that is one of the more common shapes used, especially in the 1890s and through the early 1900s. The earlier types have a lip made for a cork closure, and later ones have a “screw threaded” top.
The general “look” of the bottle is also somewhat similar to some bottles used for pickled products, olives, and in some cases, honey. But I am sure that example almost certainly originally contained a brand of horseradish. Of course, the original label is long gone. I did find a similar bottle (probably not exactly the same, but a similar style) in the Worthopedia site auction listings archives. The link is here: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-bottle-paper-label-kims-3848940177
Your bottle was made by Owens Bottle Company (O in a square was their trademark) and it would date from sometime in the 1919 to 1929 time period. The numbers are mold numbers and/or date codes, but I’m not 100% sure about their exact meaning. Hope this helps a bit!
David
Thank you David! I can’t see the price on worthpoint due to membership requirement. Can you see what it says? Just curious- no cracks or chips on mine! Lived in clay rocky soil for this whole time!
Hi Lisa,
I am not a member of Worthopedia and use it just for basic information, that is, text and photos included on old ebay auctions listings. So I can’t see the value either. The “market value” is merely the ending price of the item, and that sales price may or may not give us solid information on “real worth” to collectors. And yes, aqua bottles usually have a little bit more value than clear, but it depends on what bottle is being discussed. In general, aqua bottles tend to be older than clear (with tons of exceptions). My site is not really geared toward values, and more about the history of glass, so I can’t give you a definite value. But, in general those bottles are considered pretty common (to longtime collectors). But the value assigned to that bottle with the original label would be considerably higher than a bottle with no label.
On most older bottles, when the original label is still intact that usually adds value to antique bottles (because labels equals more information, more background, more provenance, more interest as far as colorful contemporary graphics, etc.) to the collector. If I were you I would perhaps try doing “saved searches” with keywords on ebay, over a period of time, and you might find similar listings and see what they actually sell for.
Hope this helps,
David
Thanks again David – you lead me to find it’s match however this Etsy listing does not share markings and its identical – based on my markings – seems like it was produced in 1928 (not 1930’s). See link! https://www.etsy.com/listing/529601085/1930s-mrs-barnes-binghamton-ny?ref=share_v4_lx
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for the link. I didn’t understand how you got the 1928 date. I didn’t see any base photos on that listing, but maybe I missed them? Without seeing the base code markings, it could theoretically be earlier or later (depending on what glass company made it, and if there is glassmaker mark and/or date code on the bottle).
Thanks! David
Hi David! I have what I believe is a 1939 fluted owens-illinois bottle, but I can’t seem to figure out what it was used for, I was wondering if there was a chance you or anyone else could take a look at it and find out what it was.
https://ibb.co/nRgN0DV (Full Bottle, has 12 sides)
https://ibb.co/1vKM5YW (Has a 5 on the side of the bottle)
https://ibb.co/ynPfcjW (Possible mold number that looks like it says “E788”)
https://ibb.co/djCRNk1 (Bottom of bottle, with a 2 and a 9)
Hi Tyler,
That actually looks like a weird combination of a soda bottle and a ketchup or pepper sauce bottle! To be honest I’m not sure what it held. The ‘crown top” is typical of soda bottles, but the fluted sides are more common on ketchup bottles. I suspect it could have been for an obscure brand of pepper sauce or maybe some other type of condiment. And yes I believe you are right that the “9’ is a date code for 1939. The “E788” would be the catalog number assigned to that particular bottle mold. Thanks and sorry I don’t have better information. Maybe an antique bottle collector / digger will land on this page and identify it for us!
David
I found a one-gallon bottle at a garage sale with the “earliest” trademark on it, and was interested in seeing if I could get a date for it. It has a 2 to the left of the diamond and a 6 to the right, with an 11 underneath it. It has Des.Pat. 96235 embossed below the trademark. The bottle has a basket weave pattern embossed on it. Thanks.
Hello Dawn,
With your information, I found the design patent on the web with a google search. Here is a link to the page with diagram and text of the patent issued for that bottle design: US Design Patent Number 96235S
The design was patented July 16, 1935. (87 years ago tomorrow!) The patent was in effect for 14 years, so, theoretically, bottles of that design could have been made anytime from 1935 to 1949. Your particular bottle was manufactured in 1936 (the “6” to the right of the logo is a date code for 1936). It was made at the Huntington, West Virginia plant, and the “11” is a mold number. Hope this helps!
David
I found a Duraglas bottle with the cap on the shores of Lake Michigan in southwest Michigan.
It has the following markings:
23- circle around the triangle and I’m guessing a one (but looks like a dot)-2
3-H
Duraglas
1735-EP
Can you please decode this for me?
Thanks
Jose
Hi Jose,
Duraglas was introduced in 1940, so we know your bottle was made after that year. The “23” is a manufacturing plant code number for their Los Angeles, CA location. (I assume you meant “diamond” not triangle). If you meant there was a number “2” directly to the right of the logo, that is a date code, and probably stands for either 1942 or 1952. Don’t know what “3-H” indicates. “1735-EP’ is probably a code number for that particular bottle style. Hope this helps a bit!
David
Good afternoon I was hoping you could help me identify a jar I found, It’s a regular mouth quart canning jar and on the front is the word Mason under that a star then under the star the word Jar. The bottom of the Jar has the (left to right) number 7 circle with an “I” inside then the numbers 75. next line is just the number 2.
Hi Jessi,
That sounds like one of their regular line of modern canning/fruit jars. From the markings you describe, I would say the jar was made at Alton, Illinois (their main plant, indicated by the number 7) in 1975. The “2” is a mold number. Hope this helps!
David
Is there a way to determine what brand of whiskey was in this bottle?
amber whiskey bottle
front: 4/5 QUART
off center on base: Owens Illinois I in oval, diamond
Codes on base:
56
R125
5
Although 56 is not listed in the permit code document you have shared, I read in several of your responses that it was OI’s permit number for their Charleston, WV facility.
I understand R125 to be a rectifier number, but it is not listed in the web document you shared in response to another reader’s comment.
I assume the 5 is a mold number.
Maybe I am off base, or maybe there is nothing else that can be determined. Thanks for any thoughts you have.
Hi Bill,
With the original label missing, I don’t know of a surefire way of finding out what was originally contained in the bottle. From the markings you describe, your bottle sounds like a generic or “standard” type of “fifth” liquor bottle made by Owens-Illinois. I believe the “5” is a date code for 1935. And, assuming that the company (rectifier) that was assigned the number R125 distributed/produced/sold a number of different brands or types of liquor, I presume they would (or could) have used the same style of bottle for several different products, and, as per their routine, they merely applied different labels onto those bottles to reflect the contents.
I might also note that fairly recently (after I had posted comments, over several years, about the #56 liquor bottle permit number) , with help from some other researchers, I’ve posted a more complete list of the permit numbers here on this webpage: https://glassbottlemarks.com/glass-industry-liquor-bottle-permit-numbers-numerical-list/
So, to sum up, no, I doubt if you will be able to discover exactly what beverage was in your bottle.
Thanks for writing, and I hope this helps a little!
David
Hello, what a great informative site you have! I found your site while trying to Id a bottle I found in Micronesia believe it or not. Hopefully the link to the picture works but if not : on the left of the diamond/oval is the number 20, on the right is number 1, and below is number 10. Then below all of that is 4637-GB. This bottle along with many other beer bottles (mostly Japanese) were found on or around the beaches from WWII era. From reading your page Im guessing this bottle was made in the Oakland factory?
https://i.postimg.cc/J7cWT89t/mb2.jpg
Hi Eric,
Yes, I was able to view your photo of the bottle base. I am reasonably sure the date code “1” stands for 1941 (as the Oakland plant started production in 1936). Although Owens-Illinois did use the plant code #20 for their earlier glass plant at Brackenridge, Pennsylvania, that factory was only in production for a short time in the early 1930s and I doubt if your bottle was produced there. Many Oakland-produced bottles are found in the Western states, and also occasionally in areas around the Pacific including Hawaii. The 4-digit number is surely a number that identified that particular style of bottle, or mold design. Thanks for writing!
David
I found a bottle while we were dredging out a channel. The markings on the bottom are D9, 56-42, M-899A. Diamond with oval logo.
The front of the bottle has “Federal law forbids sale or reuse of this bottle”. What does the M-899A mean?
Hi Arnulfo,
The “M-889A” is almost certainly an identification number assigned to that particular bottle design (or bottle mold) by Owens-Illinois. The “56” indicates the liquor bottle was made at their Charleston, West Virginia plant. The “42” is a code for the year 1942.
D-9 is a distiller code. Hope this helps!
David
I found a fairly large piece of brown glass with the Duraglas logo (circle inside diamond) the number to the left of the logo is a 6, and there is a 29 under the logo. Any ideas on date/orgin?
Hi Jennie,
The “6” to the left of the diamond logo is a plant location code for Charleston, West Virginia, but if the number that was placed to the right of the logo is missing, I can’t say when it was made since that would have been the date code. The 29 is a mold number.
Best regards,
David
Hi! I found a brown half gallon Clorox Duraglas bottle. It has the diamond with the circle & I on the bottom. There is no number to the left and the number to the right is a 4 with no period. Any idea what date this is from? Found it in a swamp. Thanks!
Hi Stacy,
Can you study your bottle closely and compare with the pictures and information presented on this webpage on the Clorox company site? https://www.thecloroxcompany.com/company/our-story/bottle-guide/
Please let me know if you are able to pin down the date with their chart. I think the “4” may stand for a year ending with 4 (1944 or 1954) but can’t say for sure without seeing the style of bottle you have and the exact code embossing arrangement. The “Duraglas” brand name was introduced in 1940 so we can be sure it doesn’t date before that year.
Take care,
David
I found a small (approx. 6oz) clear bottle made by Owens-Illinois Glass Co. It has the I in the circle but there is only a single digit for the date code. (bottom of bottle) maker’s mark is on top – 3 is on left – 2 is on right – 9_ is on bottom.
Any ideas on the actual date?
Hi Jeff,
This is one of those questions that are hard to answer with certainty! The bottle was made at Fairmont, West Virginia (Owens-Illinois plant number 3). I am reasonably sure the date code “2” would stand for either 1962 or 1972. I am inclined to believe 1962 is more likely, because this is the first year ending with a “2” since the Owens-Illinois trademark was changed to the simple “I inside an O”. However, on some very small bottles it is possible the mold engraver used one digit for the date code simply because of limited space on the mold. So I don’t think we can be 100% sure about this! But I invite any input from others as well.
~David
Hi, I found a beautiful emerald green bottle, similar to Sunsweet juice container I’ve seen elsewhere (but it is not stamped Sunsweet). Instead there is the diamond and oval with an I inside. To the left is the number 3, to the right is also number 3. Below is the number 7 and below that is: PAT. APPLD. FOR. Do you think this might be from 1933?
Hi Kim,
I am assuming you are referring to the emerald green “CANTEEN” shaped Sunsweet bottles. There are a number of them also listed on ebay and I was trying to see some of the base pics (uploaded by sellers) of other examples of that bottle. It appears all of them (that I found, anyway) also have the “PAT APPLIED FOR” marking on the base. I don’t know what the actual patent number is for that bottle design (assuming that a patent was eventually issued). I suppose it is very possible that the “3” could be a date code for 1933 but I can’t verify that with absolute certainty. Perhaps another reader or collector will land on this site and clue us in on the year those bottles were first produced, or have info that helps hone in on the year meant by the “3”! I’m sure it is either 1933 or 1943, but not sure which is correct!
Best regards,
David
This appear to be a 1970 Owens mark, but the bottle and label seem to me to date earlier.
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Hi! Your website is so helpful as I’m finding old bottles around my house. I have an old screw-top Listerine bottle with Owens-Illinois markings. It looks like this:
4 [Diamond I Mark] 9
5.
The 5 is centered and has a period next to it. I know you’ve said on here that a period may indicate the year it was produced, but as you noted, that’s typically to the right of the diamond mark instead of below. Can this be chalked up to a manufacturing difference? I know the 4 means it was produced in Fairmont, WV.
Thank you!
Alicia, I’m glad to hear this website has been helpful. I am not convinced that periods always have something to do with dates. There is conflicting info and theories online about the significance of periods placed to the right of date codes. (For instance, some hold that a period indicates another decade, i.e. the 1940s instead of 1930s). In the case of your Listerine bottle I’m not sure why there is a period next to the mold number, and the “5” is almost certainly a mold number. I don’t remember stating that a period may indicate a year a bottle was produced, so can you let me know where on this website I wrote that. (BTW, periods seen on some glass insulators made by Owens-Illinois, Whitall Tatum, Kerr and Armstrong CAN indicate years, but this is a separate issue from bottles). In any case, I may have been unclear in what I was trying to write, and may need to re-edit my text. Thanks and take care!
David
An odd shaped amber bottle (almost diamond shaped) with the symbol all the way to the right side. A dot on the top and bottom middle and a 5 all the way to the right side. Any idea?
We have a plant in Kalama, Washington.
Hi Jason,
Thank you very much for that information. I didn’t know about that plant. I found info online about Owens-Illinois purchasing the plant in 2015, which was formerly called Bennu Glass. Here is an article about that acquisition: https://www.beveragedaily.com/Article/2015/03/06/O-I-acquires-Bennu-Glass-renaming-its-plant-O-I-Kalama
Thanks again and take care,
David
Hi. I was making a trail through my property in the UP of Michigan. I dug up multiple old bottles. Having a hard time identifying this one. It’s a brown (amber) bottle. Small, around 3.5/4inches tall. Round. A white cap that says “PD” the bottom is: 7 i in a circle 72 and then 14 under those. Thank you.
Alexandria,
It sounds like the bottle was made by Owens-Illinois in 1972, at their Alton, Illinois factory (plant #7). The “14” is probably the mold number. The “PD” might stand for Parke-Davis, the drug company, but I cannot be sure about that.
~David
Hi David,
I found this bottle in very good condition laying on top of the ground in some old woods in Saratoga Springs NY. https://photos.app.goo.gl/pZqpdxGLBq1z1R5w5
Mfg mark of a Diamond with an “I” surrounded by an “O”. Code to left, “2”. Code to right “5”. Code underneath “3”. I understand the “2” means Huntington, WV, the “3” is a mold number, but is the “5” for 1955 or 1945?
William, this is a problem with many Owens-Illinois bottles from the 1930s and later. We simply can’t be 100% sure of many bottles with a one-digit date code, such as the code on your bottle (assuming there are no other markings that could potentially give evidence or info that might help pin down a year date). It could stand for either 1945 or 1955. I’m sorry I cannot be sure which year is the correct one. BTW, that appears to be some kind of food bottle, perhaps for a condiment of some type.
Take care,
David
I came across an amber colored bottle. On the bottom it states “Duraglas” in cursive. Below it, at center is the Diamond & Oval entwined with I in center. The number to the left is “9”. The number to the right is “5.” (with period) and the number below is “2”.
Based on reading some of this my guess is the bottle was produced in 1945(?). Can you provide any more information, please?
John, The bottle was made at their Streator, Illinois location (plant #9) and the “5” would stand for either 1945 or 1955. I can’t say for sure which year is correct.
David
Hi there! I live in south eastern Pa and came across this Owens Illinois bottle. I’m guessing the 39 is the date, however wasn’t sure what the SB stood for. I haven’t come across any other bottles with the labeling in this order, and hoped you could provide some insight. Thank you for your time, Candice
P.S.
Not sure how to post a photo, but it is a 5” amber medicine style bottle with straight sides and a cork top. The diamond logo within a circle is on the bottom of the bottle. Directly beneath that, all in one line, there is a small 14, then a larger 39SB and then after that a smaller 0.
Hi David, I recently found what I believe is an Owen-Illinois glass liquor bottle. The bottle has the federal warning about the sale or reuse of the bottle. The code on the bottom base is D 23 then below is 62-7. The bottle label for Owen Illinois is side ways on the base as well. I have read that plant # 62 has been recorded by others on liquor bottles but can find no information about the plant itself. Was able to read by an article provided by you above that the plant was most likely closed by 1969 but could find no further information. Was wondering if you had any information regarding plant # 62 including its location. Thank you!
Hi Hannah,
No, I don’t know which O-I plant was assigned #62 as their liquor bottle permit number. I’m sure the information is out there Somewhere, but to my knowledge it is still a mystery at the present time! Perhaps eventually someone will uncover this information and let us know! And I assume you are referring to this extensive article about Owens-Illinois, it’s code numbers, etc, which was written by researcher Bill Lockhart:
https://sha.org/bottle/pdffiles/OwensIllinois2015.pdf
Incidentally, because the date code is “7” I suspect your bottle might date from 1937. (Liquor bottle permit code numbers were required by the US government beginning in 1934). Although this was not always the case, a single digit DATE code was used frequently in the 1930s.
Thanks for writing and take care!
David
[Update ~ edited April 8, 2021] Hannah, the liquor bottle permit number “62” was assigned to Owens-Illinois Glass Company’s plant at Terre Haute, Indiana. This information is from a publication indexed online, at this link: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$c127996&view=1up&seq=11&q1=LIST%20OF%20GLASS%20MANUFACTURERS%20TO%20WHOM%20PERMITS%20TO%20MANUFACTURE%20LIQUOR%20BOTTLES
Hi!
I have a 5 gallon bottle that has the I in the diamond surrounded by the O marking. It looks like a 7 to the left and 3 to the right. There does not appear to be a period next to the three. Also there is the code of 5250 on below the above line. Any thoughts on how old this is? It came from my grandma.
Thanks!
Hi Rob,
The bottle was made at the Alton, Illinois factory, but I can’t say with certainty what year it was produced. It would have been made in 1933, 1943 or 1953. (However, if the brand name DURAGLAS is embossed anywhere on it, it would have to be from 1943 or 1953).
Take care,
David
I found a 5 gal bottle with the I in the middle of the O and to the right is a 7B. Can you tell me more about it and it has a blue tint to it.
Hello,
I found a small 3 in tall glass bottle. The oval symbol with the diamond is on the bottom but nothing else inside of that. The diamond looks too small to add anything inside of it. To left of the symbol is number 12. On the bottom of the symbol is number 1 to the right of the symbol is number 4 with a dot on the top and bottom of it. The cap looks rusted on But what ever was on inside was white and has settled on one corner and some sand is also inside.
We excavated a 32oz clear jar/bottle, which cleaned up quite nicely! Here are the marks:
1875-C
21 emblem 6
All I figured out was that 21 is the Portland, OR plant. What do you suppose the 1875-C on top is?
Porter,
It’s probably a style or catalog number that was assigned to that particular bottle design or shape. Catalogs, invoices and other company paperwork would have listed that number to identify the bottle type. The “6” is a date code which would have indicated 1936, 1946 or 1956.
Hope this helps,
David
Hello! I dug up outside my house underneath some bricks an intact Duraglas brown bottle possibly a beer bottle. The plant and date code is 20 oi diamond symbol 49, possibly a 7, Duraglas, beneath that says I or 1 way. Side of the bottle says No deposit ☆ No return, Not to be refilled. Bottom rim says 6 GB. If you could help me with any more insight, that would be awesome! In Ogden, Utah.
Hi Dustin,
Yes, it is a beer bottle. Some were marked with the “I WAY” embossing on the base, especially in the 1940s. The “20” is a plant location code that indicates the bottle was made at Oakland, California. The “49” is a date code for 1949.
Best regards, David
Hi David. I have a small brown glass bottle about 2″ tall with these markings. Top line 15 SB – Middle line 4 (OI Diamond) 1 . – Bottom line 9 – The date code has a period following it. From my reading i believe it to be from the late 30’s to early 40’s. What is the meaning of the top line 15 SB?
Hi Garrett,
I honestly don’t know for sure. I think it might have been a code designation for that particular bottle style/design.
Sorry I can’t be sure what it means!
David
Have a smaller bottle. Height is about 2in or so. About like a baby food jar. It has small bumps all over the bottle except around the center of the bottle where the label may have been? It says duraglas in cursive along the lower face of the bottle below where the label would be, on the front and back side of the bottle. The bottom has a balancing scale and of course the usual marking. The I is inside the O To the left is a 4. The right appears to be 3. Looking at the bottom, at the top there’s a marking that looks like maybe a #1? Or maybe an I. Or maybe it’s not supposed to be anything at all? Maybe like some type or error. Please help
Me with this one
Hi Timothy,
You have a jar used for some type of product marketed by McKesson & Robbins. Many of them are labeled “MCKESSON’S” and often there is an embossed image of a scales on the bottom. Check out this google Image search: McKesson & Robbins bottles/jars
I suspect that most of those containers date from the 1930s-1960s but I really don’t know for sure. With a “3” date code and the later “I inside an O” mark, your jar may date from 1963. Hope this helps,
David
I have a large pickle jar, which has Duraglas embossed on the bottle heel. On the bottom of the jar, there is the I in an oval O, but no diamond. To the left is a 0 (I can’t find a plant for this), and to the right is a 2, but no period. It is difficult to figure the date, since everything I have read states that the I inside an O is after 1954. I then read that any dates after 1960 I believe, would be two digit numbers. Any ideas on what date this jar may be from, and which plant ?
Brenda,
There are lots of questions and “anomalies” concerning Owens-Illinois date codes. I do not subscribe to the theory that only 2-digit date codes were used after 1960. I suspect that the number you see to the LEFT of the logo was supposed to be a “10” but with the “1” poorly engraved — i.e. illegible or missing. If (REPEAT: IF) that is true, that would mean Atlanta, Georgia as the factory where the jar was made. The “2” would probably be a date code for 1962 or 1972. The brand name Duraglas was introduced in 1940, so we know the jar cannot date earlier than that year. There is also a VERY slight possibility that the mold for that jar was made in 1952 and the logo was re-tooled but the date code was not updated before that particular jar was manufactured from the mold. That seems very implausible to me, but as I said, sometimes questions remain and no one can be 100% sure about the Correct answer! Perhaps a reader will chime in with other ideas! Thanks for writing,
David
Thanks so much David. I appreciate your input. I was thinking along the same lines as you are. Just wish I knew for certain what year it is.
We have a 4 and a half inch screw lid clear bottle with 3iii on top front panel and in script lettering Duraglas on the bottom in script writing. Duraglas plant 18, (maybe plant in Columbus, Ohio?) to the left of the oval and diamond and the number five to the right (don’t know if that is 1935?) Above the diamond and oval Duraglas in script writing is again stamped on the bottle. All the lettering feels raised. My husband found this bottle in a bottle dump at a County Park in Gloucester County, New Jersey. We are looking to see what the 3iii means?
Hello Lilly,
Your bottle probably dates from 1945, since the “Duraglas” brand name was not introduced until 1940. Yes, the bottle was made by Owens-Illinois at their Columbus, Ohio factory location. The “weird-looking number three” character is an old apothecary sign meaning “Ounce”. The “iii” is the Roman numeral “3”. So your bottle holds 3 ounces of liquid. It is no doubt a druggist bottle. Those types of bottles were made in a wide range of sizes for liquid drug prescriptions. Hope this helps!
David
Does anyone have any ideas what kind of beverage was originally in this bottle? Based on the info above I believe it was made in a plant in WV. It is aqua with ribs 2 diamond pane panels on the front (small on top, large o the bottom) and one small diamond shaped panel on the back. Stamped on the bottom 3 O with I inside 65 (next line) 14 (next line) G-18038 Thanks for any help.
Hi Lynnette,
Judging from the “G-18038” which is a style number used by Owens-Illinois, you have an RC (Royal Crown Cola) bottle. Owens-Illinois marked many of their soda bottles with a “G-number” on the bottom. The number identified a specific shape or style of bottle, irrespective of the exact glass color or markings on the bottle. I did a search on ebay and found a couple listings with that number embedded in their item descriptions.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=Bottle+%22G-18038%22&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=1&_osacat=0&_odkw=Bottle+%22G-18038%22
I am guessing the ACL (Applied Color Label) markings have faded from the bottle which makes it harder to identify. Also, the “65” is a date code for the year 1965 which is when your bottle was manufactured. Hope this helps!
Take care, David
We found the bottom of an Owens medicine bottle on the beach in FL- it has measurement lines up what’s left of the side. Bottom has a sideways 4, Owens, 6, and the O diamond mark. Does this mean the bottle is 1936 from Clarksburg, WV?
Here are my DURAGLAS bottom markings: 7 ,the oval, 5 and at the bottom 11. This is for a large pickle jar. What do I have, what do the # mean?
Hi George,
The “7” on the LEFT of the logo is the plant location code, and number 7 indicates your jar was made at their main plant at Alton, Illinois. The “5” is a date code. I can’t interpret the year with certainty, but it probably stands for 1945 or 1955, assuming the glassmaker logo you see is the “Diamond and Oval with I” which was the first mark used by Owens-Illinois. The “11” is a mold number. Hope this helps,
David
I forgot to ask in my previous comment – I am assuming these amber jars are safe to use as drinking glasses? That was my intention for getting them. Thanks for all of the information you have gathered and shared on this page!
Cassandra, I believe you are right about the 51 date code, although it may not be possible to be 100% sure about the “2” date code on the other jar… it could theoretically stand for 1952. Also, all typical American-made fruit jars are made of ordinary run-of-the-mill container or “bottle glass” which does not contain lead and is perfectly safe to drink from. (Assuming, of course, that there are no sharp edges on the rim, and the jars are nice and clean!)
Hope this helps,
David
Hello! I believe I have two older amber jars. On the side of both jar ls at the base is says Duraglas on one side and on the opposite it says “Duraglas C 2932”.
On the bottom of the first one – it has the symbol with a 9 to the left, 2 to the right (looks like an S honestly) and a 6 under the symbol.
I am assuming this is 1942?
On the bottom of the second it has the symbol with a 9 to the left, 51 to the right and 4 under the symbol. I am assuming this is 1951?
Thanks for your help!
Hello my son found a brown bottle in a mountain top lake- it has the circle over diamond with the I in the middle left number is 20 (Oakland) right is 2. (1940s?)from what I gathered reading your post the number above below the logo is the mold # 8 and above is patent # 4601-CB
Which is where I’m struggling, I looked up that in US patents and had no luck- could you possibly enlighten me please or point me in the right direction? Appreciated this article it was very much the answer I was looking for.
H
Heather, the #4601-CB is not a patent number. It was most likely a catalog or inventory number assigned to that bottle style by the factory. The number would have been used on invoices and other paperwork and communications between the glass company and their customers.
Hope this helps,
David
Hi David,
I believe I have an Owens- Illinois Glass Company liquor bottle from 1941. I looked up the permit number in a document and the permit number wasn’t listed. Here is all the info I have – Base has R-174, Bottom 56-41 and under that “Design Patent applied For,” the Federal Law forbids… statement is also on the shoulder. My questions, do you know where permit 56 was used and I read that the R means Rectifier but what does R- 174 mean? Thanks in advance, Ross Lebo
Hi Ross,
The liquor bottle permit number “56” was used by the Owens-Illinois glass plant at Charleston, West Virginia. The “R-174” is a “rectifier number” and here is an info webpage (.pdf file) someone has put together with a number of distiller code numbers and rectifier numbers. It is not all-inclusive, but the best list I know of, online: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51379b83e4b02119d184b2a2/t/584a336ee4fcb59adb85c48b/1481257838281/User+Permit+numbers.pdf
Hope this helps!!
~David
Hi! I found a green bottle with a screw top lid. There are embossed grid lines at the top of the bottle. Markings on the bottle are 9 0-1 67. Could you tell me a little about it and what the bottle may have been used for? Thanks!
Hi Michaela,
The only info I can pass along would be that your bottle was made at their #9 plant (Streator, IL) and was made in 1967. Owens-Illinois has made thousands of different styles of bottles for every product under the sun (almost) :-), so I can’t come up with ideas on use without seeing the bottle. My email address is listed at the bottom of the website page. Thank you and best regards,
David
Hey David, I found this bottle today on the bottom of the bottle it say
GB-7
9 the I in the circle then an 8 above a 7
29
Duraglas
I have an Owens Illinois Glass Company decanter with the image of a crown and the signature of Kalakaua 7887 above it. The bottom of the decanter shows the circle and diamond intertwined with the I in the middle. To the left is the number 7 (Alton, Il.) to the right is a single number 6 and below the logo is the number 7 which I understand to be the mold number. Since the number to the right of the diamond is a single 6 how would I know which year this is? I am a collector of all things King Kalakaua. I would appreciate your help, mahalo. Len Fergusen
So my grandma has this bottle with the Owens-Illinois label on it..
011
56-41
Des. Pat. 73096.
She thinks it was a whiskey bottle..and it has patriot on the bottle with a few other cool markings like a boat and 4 stars and has one pint under the patriot.. also I believe on the back of the bottle it has at the top.
Federal law forbids sale or re use of this bottle..
it’s a pretty cool bottle would love to send at picture of it.. but any information would help thank you..
Hi Alden,
Your grandma’s bottle was made in 1941 (the “41” is a year date code). The “56” is a liquor bottle permit number assigned to Owens-Illinois Glass Company, indicating their factory at Charleston, West Virginia. The number “011” is probably a mold number. The “73096” is a “Design patent” number and here is a link to the patent information, as listed in the database on the GOOGLE PATENTS site:
https://patents.google.com/patent/USD73096S/en?oq=d73096
I hope this info helps a bit!
David
Hello, second picture of green glass ointment jar attached.
Hi Shannon,
I honestly don’t know. Owens-Illinois Glass Company made huge quantities of “emerald green” salve and ointment jars of many different designs and sizes. I haven’t seen that particular one. It certainly has an attractive design! Thanks for writing, and sorry I don’t have information about it.
David
Hello, I found an Owen’s Illinois green glass ointment jar on our property today. I haven’t found another like it online. Photos included. Any idea what would have been in this jar? Thank you for looking.
Found an antique medicine bottle (with unknown medicine inside) while out on a run through a Missouri River flood area. Still can’t seem to place the date using your page and the Lockhart article.
Bottom engrossment reads “7 0” with a “7.” underneath.
Thanks for compiling this, it’s super interesting!
https://imgur.com/z5z6B7R
Hi Brian,
This is a case where the date code (the “0” to the RIGHT of the logo) could theoretically stand for either 1930, 1940 or 1950. I don’t know of a foolproof way of knowing, at least on that bottle, which date is correct, although my guess would be 1940. If the bottle also carried their brand name “DURAGLAS” (which it doesn’t, I assume) we would know it had to be 1940 or later, since DURAGLAS was introduced in the year 1940. The “7” below the logo is a mold number. The “7” to the left of the logo is the plant code number which stood for Alton, Illinois.
Hope this helps,
David
Des Pat 89237
Hi Cari,
I haven’t done a search but it is likely that the patent can be found on the GOOGLE PATENTS website. Basically, those types of markings mean “Design Patent for this item [bottle] was issued by the US Patent & Trademark Office, and the number assigned to the patent is 89237”.
Best regards,
David
While collecting beach glass, I found a green bottom of a bottle that says filled or re-filled 89 with the I O symbol to the right. Does this mean it’s from 1989 or something else ?
Meredith, exactly which O-I symbol are you referring to? If it is an “I Inside an Oval, or letter O”, then yes, the 89 probably is a date code for 1989. Thanks!
David