Dating a wall by tin cans

[Zebra]

A very old part of my house has a timber frame wall which some time ago had a brick wall built alongside it, and the gap filled with rubble and waste. Among the rubble and waste are some drinks cans, Scweppes Bitter Lemon and Roses Sparkling Lime. The builder was evidently quite fond of them, as there are many.
I suspect that this work was done in 1969 but it might be earlier, and just to satisfy my curiosity, I wonder whether anyone on here might either a) recall seeing such cans in days gone by and be able to guess when it was, or b) know of some food and drink packaging historical society (!) where someone might be able to help.
I tried the relevant drinks companies but they didn't reply.
Thanks!

 

[TheForge]

According to Wikipedia, Roses Lime cordial was bought by Schwepps in 1957, so if you can see Schwepps anywhere on those cans it must be post that date.

By the same token Schwepps Bitter Lemon supposedly wasn't introduced until 1957 either and wide scale can useage only started around the same time, so I reckon sometime in the 60's would be most likely.

 

[LadyArowana]

The Roses cans look like they have the QE II royal warrant and that would only have been used post 1953. I bet there will be a forum somewhere for people interested in historic cans, probably lots of advice on how to repair and conserve them and shock and outrage if you just suggest putting them in the recycling :lol:

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Presumably no use-by dates, as this preceded the overbearing nanny state?

 

[Lime]

My guess, mid to late 60s.
Cans/tins that held drinks were a rarity early 60s as the glass bottle still held sway.
I always chose bottles over and above tinned drink for several reasons, the main one being that you could see the liquid.
Also most could be resealed in some way.
Cans in those days were more expensive, difficult to open, seemed to be very wasteful and they occupied a large amount of space in a dustbin.
In London a single dustbin was allowed/collected from each household no matter how many lived in it.
My nextdoor neighbour proudly told me that he had filled his rainwater well with coke cans during the 70s.

 

[Carol]

My grandfather's Christmas treat for us grandchildren was often a selection of Schweppes cans just like yours. Most notable thing was the lack of a ringpull. I remember struggling with those openers that punched a triangular hole on each side. Do yours have those holes? I would guess mid/late sixties based on the fact that ring pulls didn't arrive in the UK until early 70's.

 

[MdB]

In London a single dustbin was allowed/collected from each household no matter how many lived in it.

London people live in dustbins? :shock:

What are all the houses for then?

 

[Gareth Hughes]

The Roses cans look like they have the QE II royal warrant and that would only have been used post 1953. I bet there will be a forum somewhere for people interested in historic cans, probably lots of advice on how to repair and conserve them and shock and outrage if you just suggest putting them in the recycling :lol:

http://www.robertopiecollection.com/Application/Corporate/about3GB.asp

 

[Zebra]

how to repair and conserve them and shock and outrage if you just suggest putting them in the recycling :lol:

Oh yes! I shall put them back in the wall, and lime plaster round them so you can see the logos!!

openers that punched a triangular hole on each side. Do yours have those holes? I would guess mid/late sixties based on the fact that ring pulls didn't arrive in the UK until early 70's.

Yes! They have no ringpull but triangular holes on each side.
So that's pretty much unanimous about the date then, mid to late sixties. Well that answers that question. Thanks!

 

[JohnB]

Are they actually tin cans, or aluminium? I'm curious to know if tin cans survive in a wall, or if they rust away.

 

[MdB]

Are they actually tin cans, or aluminium? I'm curious to know if tin cans survive in a wall, or if they rust away.

They are steel cans with possibly a tin layer coated onto them. Steel will survive for a long time if kept dry so the fact that 50 years later they are still in a tolerably good condition suggests that the wall is pretty dry which is good news.

 

[JohnB]

They are steel cans with possibly a tin layer coated onto them. Steel will survive for a long time if kept dry so the fact that 50 years later they are still in a tolerably good condition suggests that the wall is pretty dry which is good news.

That's good to know. I'll start saving tin cans for some interesting wall building projects .

 

[JoceAndChris]

That's such a sweet find Zebra!

 

[Zebra]

Are they actually tin cans, or aluminium? I'm curious to know if tin cans survive in a wall, or if they rust away.

Would you like me to send you one?!

 

[Zebra]

Steel will survive for a long time if kept dry so the fact that 50 years later they are still in a tolerably good condition suggests that the wall is pretty dry which is good news.

It is indeed.

 

[JohnB]

Would you like me to send you one?!

No thanks. I've got a good collection of unusual building materials .