Larger #16 Skillet

[Scott.L]

I recently purchased a couple larger skillets to include one I have not been able to find much information on. The skillet is marked with a raised 16 on the handle and has a round lift assist directly across from the handle. It has an inset heat ring around the bottom, and a small brace on the bottom edge of the handle. I am looking to gain any history on these skillets but aside from a few collectors thinking they may be made in Kentucky prisons or made for the hotel industry i have not been able to find much. Any information would be much appreciated, I have attached a few pics for ref.

 

[Doug D.]

The post in the assist handle position originally had a metal ferrule with a turned wood and metal wire bail handle attached. Don't believe a maker has ever been ascertained.

 

[Scott.L]

Doug D.
thank you for your reply, was the ferrule screwed into the assist ? Also based on the inset heat ring I am guessing late 30s or 40s ? Finally are these skillets fairly common as this is the first one i have run across but as a newbie that may be expected.

Thank you
Scott

 

[Doug D.]

Appears to have been pressed on, friction fit. Decade hard to narrow down. Small spouts feel earlier than 30s-40s. Inset heat rings are seen even on 19th century pans, so no help there, except there probably wasn't a #16 stove eye, so... Not common, but not unicorns, either.

 

[Scott.L]

Doug D,
thank you for the great insights, I was not aware inset heat rings were done in the 19th Century

Scott