"Admiralty Arrow Antique Glass Bottles"

Classic Victorian Poison Bottles used by the British Military:

There were a wide range of bottle types used by the British Military.  This page details many of the different poison bottles that were used.

Victorian Poison Bottles

By the mid nineteenth century public concern over accidental and non-accidental poisonings had reached the point where the British government was taking action. In 1863 “A Bill for the Prevention of Accidental Poisoning” was introduced to the house. The bill called for all poisons to be stored in special hexagonal bottles prominently labeled poison along with directions for use. Although the bill did not pass, many companies around the world adopted special bottles for poisons. The two main colours adopted were cobalt blue and an emerald green. The bottles also had distinctive shapes often with raised ribs or other designs and raised letters with the word poison. Two factors were at play, first, many people were illiterate so the colour would be associated with poison, second, in dim light the bottles would have a distinctive feel. Because of the attractive colour and unique designs Victorian poison bottles are particularly favoured by collectors.   

 

These are found in a variety of sizes, mostly in dark cobalt blue and to a lesser extent emerald green.  

Square poisons:

group of square admaralty arrow bottles

numbered poisons

This was a photo provided by Geoff Clarke of New Zealand showing three different numbered bottles in this series. 

These appeared in a New Zealand bottle auction list a few years ago with the description copied below.  It becomes clear that the number on many of these bottles likely refers to contents instead of volume.description of auction list

12 oz blue poison

12 oz blue poison with ground stopper

6.3 cm. Square with beveled  corners

Height: 15.5 cm.

Height with stopper: 17.6

This style likely predates the ribbed versions bearing the words poison.

 

Hexagonal poisons: Small Arrow

small arrow hexagonal group

hexagonal blue poison

#301008:      Hexagonal blue poison

Base 3.3 cm. (widest point)      Height 8.8 cm.

 

hexagonal blue poison The bottle on the left was found in New Zealand .  It wasn’t until the two bottles were side by side that I realized the two were from distinctly different moulds (the one on the left with a shorter neck and sharper shoulder).

18 oz poison

18 oz Hexagonal blue poison

Very large cobalt blue hexagonal poison with arrow above the word POISON. (18 oz) 

 22.86 cm x 7.62 cm.                                                                    

 

Photos kindly provided by Vernon Erwin.

close-up of 18 oz poison

green poison

At least one size in this series was produced in the typical emerald
green used for Victorian poisons.  

Photo kindly provided by Alan Blakeman BBR Auctions England in October
2007 No dimensions or provenience were provided.
Hexagonal poisons: Large Arrow

hexagonal group of admiralty poisons

hexagonal blue poison with footed arrow

Hexagonal blue poison

 

Very small cobalt blue hexagonal poison with a "Footed" arrow below the word POISON. 

Base 3.175 cm. 

Height: 8.25 cm  

Photos kindly provided by Vernon Erwin.

Etched Admiralty Arrow Bottles:

green bottle with acid etched arrow

Machine made acid etched green hexagonal poison with 3 ribbed panels.  This bottle was originally found in Cyprus.  These bottles have also been found in blue and probably date sometime between the first and second war.

Base 2.8 cm. (widest point)     Height: 8.0 cm.

close-up of green bottle with acid etched arrowblue etched arrow

machine made etched arrow poison

Machine made acid etched green round poison with one half ribbed and a black screw cap. On base a 1 above a 2 and a maker's mark.

These bottles were part of a military surplus sale in London just after the second war.  I have a few extra examples of these bottles.

Base diameter 3.1 cm. 

Height: 5.0 cm.

 

green ribbed poison with etched arrow

 

Large round green ribbed poison bottle with stopper and a "Medical Depot-Deptford" wax seal, plus a small acid etched  arrow on the lower back. Height: 22.86 cm.      Base  10.16 cm.

Photos kindly provided by Vernon Erwin. close-up of arrowclose-up of seal

OTHER Admiralty Arrow Poisons

arrow on base

Blue Not to Be Taken poison with arrow on base

An unusual cobalt blue hexagonal 'Not To Be Taken' poison with the arrow embossed on the base.

Height: 15.24 cm  Base: 5.08 cm 

Photos kindly provided by Vernon Erwin.

base of blue "Not to be Taken"

Click on each picture to see larger images.

VR and anchor seal

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Last updated Nov 2009