"blue book" type reference for unmarked iron

[StueySF]

I do have a copy of the "blue book" of Griswold and Wagner, but I can't find much information in it to date, describe, or price unmarked pieces by these manufacturers. (This site is actually fantastic as an ID resource!)

Is there another reference book useful for this purpose?

Thanks, and happy new year!

Stuart

 

[Doug D.]

No, no book. You mostly just have to go by design as compared to marked pieces, e.g. older (1920s-30s) (what appears to be) unmarked Wagner will have outside heat rings, then smooth bottom (~1935-1950s) unmarked Wagner will have only (for example) "6-1/2" Skillet" on the bottom, then later (post-1960) unmarked Wagner will additionally have "Made In USA".

There are a couple of instances in the BB and RB where the authors place a dating on Griswold pieces such as the Iron Mountain and the unmarked, inset heat ring skillets.

 

[Steve Stephens]

Dating and identifying unmarked pieces is mosty by guess and from experience in looking at a lot of iron cookware over many years. Few records were left by the makers as to when certain pieces were made. Look for common features such as shape and sizes of handles, pouring lips, shapes, bail handle attachments, etc. Unmarked Griswold will always have a pattern number, something that few other companies used on their pans. Wagners' numbers on their pans are catalog numbers, not pattern numbers.