Hello,

I am currently working on some turn-of-the century homestead sites in northeast Colorado (USA) and have come across this confusing little item. I think it is the reservoir from an atomizer of some type, but I can't be sure and I wanted to pick the collective "Deep Thought" of the HISTARCH webspace. 

It is a cylindrical steel can that is 3" tall by 2 3/4 inches in diameter with externally overlapping stamped ends, a low profile threaded cone-like top. The closure, which is the unique bit, is a threaded steel cap with a rolled 1/2 diameter cylindrical steel tube that is set into the center and sheared off at the top. The cap has a reeded edge (like a US quarter) and an embossed, gothic script mark circumscribing the superior surface which reads "BLISH MIZE & SILLIMAN HDW Co. - ATCHISON - KAN."

Some things I do know is the lid embossing tracks to the Blish, Mize & Silliman Hardware stores of Atchison, Kansas and Western expedition outfitting fame; so, the item cannot predate 1871. A search through trademarks yielded but one mark, which was not this one. Also, the bulk of sites within the area can be solidly dated to 1875 - 1915. 

I am iffy on any aerosol can hypothesis simply because it has the look of a cone top, not the torpedo like form of the early Rotheim type cans.

Any help that is provided is greatly appreciated.

Sean M.A. Doyle 

Historic Resources Specialist

SWCA Environmental Consultants

Broomfield, CO. 80021