The Kerr Glass Manufacturing Co. began in Portland, OR in 1904. Though it was not actually a manufacturer at its inception, Kerr offered the Economy brand of mason jar produced for them by the Illinois-Pacific Glass Co.. The Kerr name first appeared on a mason jar in 1915 as Kerr Economy.

How do you tell how old a Kerr Mason jar is?

Check the jar from top to bottom. The Kerr name will be embossed on the glass. There are some general guidelines to approximate the date of a vintage Kerr jar between 1915 and 1930. The finish on a fruit jar can tell you roughly about the date it was made.

Are Kerr and Ball Mason jars the same?

If the Kerr jars and their packaging looks eerily similar to that of Ball jars, its because theyre basically the same: Both Ball and Kerr brands are now owned and manufactured by the parent company Jarden.