3 old skillets from an old TN house - can you help ID

[Greg Brinkmann]

I visited an estate sale of a woman who I believe was close to 90 and walked out with several nice pieces - most of which I recognized. But 3 of them convinced me to ask my cast iron friends here who probably can shed more light. I have cleaned the rust and crud off of each of them and have numbered the pictures 1, A, B, and C; 2 A, B and C and 3, A, B and C respectively. All 3 are number 8's.

Number 1 I speculated could be in the SMS family (tiny pour spouts, raised 8, raised X mold mark and a heat ring) but I don't ever recall seeing an SMS with a fancy handle and having the 19th century ish gate mark.

Number 2 has the raised 8 (on the top handle) but wider pour spouts so I thought probably not SMS. And the handle (underside) looks reminiscent of an early Erie with that raised rib and "reinforcing" triangle that connects the handle to the pan. I guess old Erie theoretically could be gate marked since they were around in 1870 but have to believe they would have had their name on it if it was Erie.

Number 3 is just a big (deep) unmarked chicken fryer with a Wagner / Griswold type number 8 font on top and a reinforced rib style handle underneath. Unmarked Wagner?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Many thanks in advance.

Greg

 

[SeanD]

Im not too good with this kind of handle, and the ears look different. Someone on here will know more Im sure.

 

[Doug D.]

1. SMS would not have that handle style, nor a gate mark.
2. No Erie skillets were bottom gated, nor did they have raised numerals on the handles. SMS would not have outside heat ring. Maybe a recast copy using an Erie with markings filled in, raised 8 added.
3. Forum software limits attachments to 5 per post. Additional can be added in a reply.

 

[Greg Brinkmann]

Thanks Doug. That was the puzzle for me.