Authentic or Counterfeit

[JordieFike]

Found this going up for sale on the eBay, from what I have learned on this site it seems like a late 2nd or early 3rd Series of pre-Griswold ERIE .... but the markings on the center of the bottom bother me as I've not seen it on any others (the "hammer" looking marks ... or maybe casting imperfections?)



Thoughts?

 

[Doug D.]

That's pitting from use over a fuel source containing sulfur. Coal and early municipal gas supplies were the cause. The burning of them formed sulfuric acid which literally dissolved and displaced metal. Actually relatively common on late 19th and early 20th century pieces.