Newbie Intro & Help Identify ?

M

Michael A

New member
Newbie Intro & Help Identify ? PICS

Hello, My name is Michael. I've just become interested in ANOTHER collecting hobby and trying to identify this old skillet, already collect lanterns and pocket knives. Being very new to cast iron, I know very little. Can anyone identify / date this old skillet acquired by a friend ? (very smooth inside, thin, lighter weight, 10 1/4" measured across bottom, seems well made, what I believe is a molding "scar" across bottom)
 

Attachments

  • cast iron skillet 2 (Small).jpg
    cast iron skillet 2 (Small).jpg
    53.1 KB · Views: 58
  • cast iron skillet (Small).jpg
    cast iron skillet (Small).jpg
    55.7 KB · Views: 50
Last edited:
The "scar" is known as a gate mark, where the molten iron entered the mold and the excess was snapped/cut/ground off. The design would place it ~ mid-1800s. The raised molder's marks on the bottom are unusual, at least for a piece with other characteristics like the handle and the pour spouts. These old unmarked gate marked pieces are usually impossible to ID as to maker, but sometimes the style gives an indication of era or region of manufacture.
 
Re: Newbie Intro & Help Identify ? PICS

Michael A said:
.......ANOTHER collecting hobby......
Click to expand...


Don't feel bad.. I came from VERY old coin operated vending machines, to electric fans between 60-100+ years old, and now to cast iron. It's been an interesting journey, and I've learned a LOT.
 
Thank you, Doug D. and RickC ! Coming from my other collecting hobbies in which nearly everything can be identified with enough research, learning that often very old cast can't be identified with any precision is frustrating. I'm in the habit of knowing that this lantern variant was made in October,1929 in Witchita, KS ... or this pocket knife was made in Solzen, Germany in 1931. Obviously, I have lots to learn. I have a couple of 1940-ish unmarked major brands of cast skillets that I could identify from molding details, picked up at local yard sales. I'll use those to practice clean up and restoration. I'm leaning toward collecting only older "gate marked" stuff though. Grin ... see ? I learned a new word ! :chuckle:
 
I've been looking at/into a few unmarked gated pieces myself. The handles are what's getting me. Not just utilitarian, but actually fancy, and raised higher than normal. The lack of branding bothers me a bit, but I'll get over it for a really great piece.
 
Yes, the UFOs can be a little frustrating. It is natural to want to know the origin and age of our cast iron. But, it is nice to have the odd very old pieces in our collections as it adds variety.

STILL hoping for an answer on my Mystery One Dot #8 Skillet... :p:p
 
Scott_Price said:
Many handle styles of the old Skillets. More not marked than marked. Par for the course. I'm thinking the ornate cookware style would have matched a associated Stove style like a brand or TM.

http://www.castironcollector.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=930&d=1412563914
Click to expand...

Would love to get my hands on more old pans, looks like nice series of pans.

Not sure where to start looking around here, going to soon take out a local internet ad or start visiting some old farm houses.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top