Coke bottle cap question

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Rick O
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Coke bottle cap question

Post by Rick O » Mon Oct 28, 2019 6:46 am

There is a guy on the Facebook page selling rubber stamps for the tops of the bottle caps that say "Special Service for U.S. Armed Forces"

Someone else said some were made after copying an original with the same saying.

I am looking for a picture of an original cap with those words, but can't locate any. Any help with a pic of an original cap of that type?

Also/or, would there be any other different cap that would be OK for overseas for troops only bottles?

Facebook post pic: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... ater&ifg=1

Thanks,

Rick
1941 Slat Grill 106112 DoD 12-23-1941
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Re: Coke bottle cap question

Post by Quartermaster » Mon Oct 28, 2019 11:00 am

First picture is a 1945 military type Coca Cola bottle cap - note there is no bottling plant or city info only name and content amount/

Image

Next is a generic V For Victory bottle cap that was used on various bottled products during the war.

Image

Finally is the Special Service For US Armed Forces bottle cap as found on beer bottles - this example is intact on a glass WW2 Fort Pitt Beer bottle. These are also found on the all metal cone top beer cans for the troops.

Image
Dwayne
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Rick O
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Re: Coke bottle cap question

Post by Rick O » Mon Oct 28, 2019 11:14 am

Thanks Dwayne. You say that the Service one is on a beer bottle. Any idea if they would have been on Coke bottles also?

I appreciate the pics!

Rick
1941 Slat Grill 106112 DoD 12-23-1941
1951 M100 trailer 01207732
1954 Dodge M37(M42)
1942 Dodge WC21 DoD 3-17-42

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Re: Coke bottle cap question

Post by Quartermaster » Mon Oct 28, 2019 11:21 am

I know - never say never but I have never come across an unopened Special Service Coke bottle with anything but an authentic Coke cap (cork lined, of course!)

I have only seen one or two in the flesh that seem never opened but have come across other photos where you can make out the caps.

It is possible that the "Special Service" caps on beer are unique to alcohol products due to the alcohol taxes involved with civilian beverages and were lifted for military distribution.
Dwayne
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Re: Coke bottle cap question

Post by Quartermaster » Mon Oct 28, 2019 6:03 pm

In an additional note - the "Special Service" statement on the bottle caps seems to be a statement for items that normally qualified for some sort of civilian tax --- in this case alcohol. That could then move to answer the question of the 'special' replacement strips for tax strips on the cigarette packages (and probably all tobacco items") going to the military services as there were taxes on those civilian items also.

You don't see some sort of 'special service for US troops' notation on packaging on Hershey Bars or other items provided to the troops at low or no charge ---- seems like only on items in civilian use that were taxed.

But you might see advertising addendum on various products directed to the troops during the war to enhance the reputations of manufacturing firms to their former civilian customers as their output was directed to the war effort.

That's my 2¢ on that issue anyway.
Dwayne
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Re: Coke bottle cap question

Post by majvret » Tue Oct 29, 2019 4:52 pm

Too bad, Facebook pulled the post that had the rubber stamp. Would liked to have seen it at least.
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Rick O
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Re: Coke bottle cap question

Post by Rick O » Tue Oct 29, 2019 4:58 pm

It's still there on the ww2 GI reenactor help page. I just copied the link. Try this:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... ater&ifg=1
1941 Slat Grill 106112 DoD 12-23-1941
1951 M100 trailer 01207732
1954 Dodge M37(M42)
1942 Dodge WC21 DoD 3-17-42

Fernmelder
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Re: Coke bottle cap question

Post by Fernmelder » Fri Nov 01, 2019 8:58 am

Don't know about the coke bottles, but I just found this little guy at a local booze emporium.
I suppose he could assaualt a coke bottle or some other target - in this case a Pilsner !
bottle opener.jpg
bottle opener.jpg (68.86 KiB) Viewed 1736 times


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