Picked up this DO today. Lodge?

[SpurgeonH]

I bought a DO today. I'm not sure if the lid matches the pot. It's a perfect fit, but ...

The assist tab has a hole in it. A quick search of the forums led me to a discussion from three years ago, where Doug or somebody said the only Lodge with a hole was the one with the scalloped bottom. This doesn't have a scalloped bottom. Could it still be a Lodge? Maybe I'll have a better idea once I get the crud off of the bottom.

https://imgur.com/a/BhKYW

 

[Jeff S.]

Yep, it's a Lodge due to molders mark on underside of tab. Once cleaned up you might find the hole was not cast in but later drilled by someone.

 

[SpurgeonH]

Thanks, Jeff!

Here's the bottom after a night in the lye bucket ...

The bottom has one funky pit at the 5:30 position. BTW - I put it back in the lye. Don't have time to work on it this morning and there were still a couple of small patches of crud.

And here are a couple of close ups of the hole in the assist tab ...

The second one is kinda blurry. Oops. Do you think the hole was drilled or cast?

Also, this won't fit in my e-tank and there is a little rust I need to work on. I can't remember what has been said about putting bail handles in the vinegar solution. It that OK? Most of the rust problem is on the bottom. I could float it in the vinegar if it is best to keep the bail out.

Here is a picture of the inside. Looks to be in great shape! One fairly significant pit and a few really small ones.

 

[Jeff S.]

The hole appears to be cast due to the taper and slight uneveness.

 

[SpurgeonH]

Sweet! I guess that makes it a very rare, maybe one-of-a-kind Lodge DO. It's gotta be worth tens of dollars!