Fort McCoy ArtiFACT: 3-in-One bottles

Courtesy Photo | Shown are three 3-in-One oil bottles found during a past archaeological dig at Fort McCoy. The bottles, which date to around 1910, were used to hold oil, most likely used to clean and protect metal surfaces on military guns that were in use at Fort McCoy at the time. Photo by Colorado State University Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands  

FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, UNITED STATES

08.23.2018

Courtesy Story

Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office           

Archaeologists with Colorado State University’s Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands unearthed three 3-in-One oil bottles fitted for cork stoppers during a past dig site at Fort McCoy that had evidence of military training dating to 1910.

The glass bottles were made by a process called pressing or molding the glass, which was part of the automation of glass manufacturing after the turn of the century. This process involved blowing or pressing hot glass into a mold (typically steel) with the desired lettering.

Glass bottles were made with embossed lettering to identify the bottle product as well as to act as advertising for the company. Later, paper labels replaced or were used in addition to embossed glass lettering. The bottles found on Fort McCoy were used to hold oil, most likely used to clean and protect metal surfaces on military guns.

In 1894, 3-in-One oil was invented by George W. Cole of Asbury Park, N.J. He wanted a product that would lubricate, clean, and prevent rust on the metal bicycle parts. These three functions resulted in the product name of 3-in-One.

The manufacturer’s name was changed from G.W. Cole to 3-in-One Oil Co. in 1905, and it was during this time that bottles with raised lettering of “3-IN-ONE” were sold with cork stoppers.

Metal screw top caps replaced the cork stoppers on 3-in-One bottles in 1910. This places the date of manufacture for these bottles between 1905 and 1910.

All archaeological work conducted at Fort McCoy was coordinated by the Directorate of Public Works Environmental Division Natural Resources Branch.

Visitors and employees are reminded they should not collect artifacts on Fort McCoy or other government lands and leave the digging to the professionals.

Any person who excavates, removes, damages, or otherwise alters or defaces any historic or prehistoric site, artifact, or object of antiquity on Fort McCoy is in violation of federal law.

The discovery of any archaeological artifact should be reported to the Directorate of Public Works Environmental Division Natural Resources Branch at 608-388-8214.

(Article prepared by Colorado State University Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands.)

• Date Taken: 08.23.2018
• Date Posted: 08.23.2018 16:46
• Story ID: 290059
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, US