Early Civil War Liquor Bottle recovered in New Orleans

This is another nice piece being offered; it is a dug Civil War wine/champaign bottle, ca. 1830 – 1860. The bottle is an olive-green color and measures 9 ½” high with a diameter 3” at the base. It was found during excavation work at the French Quarter in New Orleans.

They are immediately recognizable having the classic green coloring. An identical example was recovered from the Civil War ship SS Republic. The SS Republic was a Civil War-era sidewheel steamship that sank in 1865 while carrying a large cargo of silver and gold coins and a stunning variety of everyday wares essential to life in mid-19th century America (see pictures).

The most notable feature is the more defined indention on the bottom known as a “kick-up” or “punt”. One theory is that the punt helps strengthen the heavy glass bottle so that it can withstand the pressure of carbonation.

The bottle is in nice condition with just the regular flaws of dug bottles. In my book “The Civil War Soldier – His Personal Items”, I go into detail of the drinking habits of Civil War soldiers (see pictures).