No. 4 bread pan repro?

K

KatT

New member
I received a hand-me-down Vienna roll pan that in many ways resembles a Griswold No. 4 Erie bread pan, but there are some discrepancies: the divisions between the individual loaves are solid, not slotted, and there are pierced tabs at either end of the pan. Also, the casting is not as fine as one would expect from Griswold. It does, however, have the No 4 marking, as well as the little "feet" on the bottom of the first and forth loaves. I don't believe the pan was made very recently, as evidenced by the heavy layers of built up crud--someone definitely cooked with it a lot--but I doubt it's authenticity. So my question is, does anyone know the extent to which this piece has been counterfeited or reproduced? And if it isn't a deliberate counterfeit, did other contemporary manufacturers cast a similar piece?
 
Of the known variations of the Griswold #4 pan, all are open frame. All are considered rare enough to be reasonably valuable, but are not typically the types of pans you see reproduced, at least not with the intent to deceive. It was not uncommon for other makers to stick to the numbering conventions set by earlier makers, Griswold included. Photos would help in assessing the casting quality before speculating further.
 
Thanks for your help Doug, I'm reconditioning the piece right now, but I can provide a photo soon.
 
Looks like someone used a Griswold #4 Vienna roll pan, var. 2 as a pattern to make a copy, adding handles in the process. Either a small foundry with limited technology or someone with access to resources necessary to cast iron. Could be old or not.
 
Well that validates what I suspected. After I cleaned it, I noticed faint indentations in the solid parts of the frame where the Griswold would have been open. I will ask my sister (from whom I obtained this piece and others) if she knows anything about its origins. It could be something she picked up from a flea market, or it could be something she inherited from our grandparents, which would place it circa 1930's. Either way, I assume that it has no real collectible value?
 
None of the genuine #4 Vienna roll pans by them were marked Griswold; only one variation with a pattern number. From the pattern numbered variation, the earlier variations were able to be identified via similar characteristics and dimensions. Recasts are a part of the history of cast iron hollow ware, but their value as collectibles is minimal.
 
Well according to my sister, the CI pieces I got from her originally belonged to our great-grandmother and our great-great-aunt. So I think it's safe to assume that they are antiques. Since they are family pieces I will definitely hang on to them and use them in my own kitchen. I guess I need to learn how to bake rolls, haha!
 
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