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Lids
by Larry Whitaker and Brad McCall The type of lid (top) is a very important factor in determining a can's desirability. |
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 A flat US lid and older English lids have a depth of about 1/8" (3cm), where domed lids and newer English flat lids are 5/16" (8cm) deep |
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| 1 | Cap top (Type 4 can) | ||||||||
| 2 | Old style English lid. Notice solder spot where they sealed the can after adding air pressure (Type 2 can) | ||||||||
| 3 | Flat
lid U.S.A. upside down & right side up. Not sunken down as far as English
lid (#5) Notice sharp edge. This lid will not fit back on the can after being removed. (Type 1 can) |
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| 4 | Dome lid U.S.A. upside down & right side up (Type 5 can) | ||||||||
| 5 | New style English lid. Sunken down further than a U.S.A. flat lid (Type 3 can) | ||||||||
USA CANS The best cans are those that were made in the USA and have what collectors refer to as a "flat lid". Actually the can doesn't have much of a lid at all. Once the can is opened by its key, the top of the can (lid) will not go back onto the can. This accounts for most opened flat lid cans missing their tops. A flat lid can that is missing it's top looks like it was cut off with tin snips. The newer more common USA cans have a lid with a slight dome shape to it. A dome lid will go back onto an opened can and stay on tight to hold the balls safely in the can (these are often mistakenly thought to be "unopened" by novice collectors and sellers). 1942 is the approximate date that manufacturers changed from flat to domed lids in the USA ENGLISH CANS Most English cans had flat lids whether they are old or new and should not be confused with the rare flat lid American cans. However there is a way to tell an old English can from a new one. The old style English cans have a similar top and bottom like the flat US cans and will have a solder spot in the lid or on the bottom of the can. Air pressure was put in through a small hole and then soldered shut. Newer English key cans still have a flat lid, however it has more of a recess - about Both styles of English lids will go back onto the can after opening. A semi rare type of can is the one that had a metal cap (#1 in above photo). Printed on the cap is "Remove this cap, press inner disc firmly to release" The metal cap was pried off by hand and then an inner disc was pressed to expose the contents of the can. There are at least two and probably 3 or more different lids found old English (solder spot cans). One has no rings on it like an old Wilson Match Point and another does have rings like some 4 ball cans (thoughts are that these either had two rings or none at all). | |||||||||
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