Question on Griswold Handle Mark

L

Lynn S

New member
I am new to this forum but have several Griswold pieces. One of them is a #8 small logo early handle skillet made between 1939-1944. On the underside of the handle is a tiny "13" etched into the triangular portion of the handle. I have not seen this on any other griswold skillet and can't find any info on its significance if any. Does anyone know what this might be?
 

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Any incised markings would have to be in the pattern the pan was cast from. Alpha-numeric characters are seen in this position on other brands as well, including Lodge and Wagner. The assumption would be they are quality control-related, allowing the manufacturer to track down damaged patterns responsible for defective castings. Since we rarely see pattern letters, such as the M here, exceed A through Z, it also may have been a way to keep track of dozens or hundreds of working patterns without cluttering up the bottom of the pan with excessive markings. The #8 is historically perhaps the most popular skillet size.
 
Thanks for your reply, Doug. Let me make sure I understand what you are saying. Do you mean that there may have been multiple 704 M pattern molds and that the 13 on the handle may have been one way to track how that specific 704 M mold was casting? If so, should there be other #8 pans with these types of numbers or do you think they would have only cast from them a few times?
 
Yes, the addition of the numbers (or letters) on the handle allows for an exponentially larger number of unique working patterns. There wouldn't be any reason limit the number of uses or to decommission a pattern unless it was damaged.
 
Thanks for the quick response. I guess I haven't seen any of these previously because many times the handles are caked with grunge. I will certainly start looking more closely now.
 
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