What are good examples of Civil War era jars
The manufacture of fruit jars really didn’t take off until after the civil war. Before the war, canning jars (many were actually large, heavy, bulky enamel lined cans) were expensive and difficult to use. Mason’s patent was issued in 1858 but it wasn’t until the Consolidated Fruit Jar Company began making jars after the war did the Mason jar really begin catching on. Later, another major jar manufacturer and Consolidated’s bitter rival the Hero Fruit Jar company (Hero being in reference to the civil war. The jars carried a ‘Hero’s cross’ as the company’s trademark) fought in court with Consolidated over patents. Wax sealer jars as well as old canning crocks could be appropriate Civil War period examples of canning jars. Some were made during the period. They are more readily available and cost less to purchase than other Civil War era jars. The old original “Crowleytown” masons are appropriate, however, they have a distinctly different look from that of the later “mason jars.
