Cast iron experts

[mtnester]

I inherted 3 cast iron pans from my Grandma. The Wagner I am familiar with (it is a beauty)

And there is one I am completely unfamiliar with. It is hammered like this one:



With what looks like a makers mark on the underside of the handle:



It is a beauty! I made eggs in it tonight, and am curious as to its maker. I am not having any real success with the Google, other than a single teeny weeny skillet even that owner knows nothing about.

Any cast experts, please chime in! I am simply satisfying my curiosity.

[ginnyinWI]

1. could it be not "cast" but actually hand made?

it looks like it was hand-hammered. And the maker's mark is another clue. I have no idea how old it would have to be to be handmade but I'd guess quite old.

I have a cast iron griddle that my great-grandmother, grandmother and mother used--which would have to have been made around 1890. But that was manufactured; yours could pre-date it.

[mtnester]

2. I don't know on that, that would be a fun fact for this skillet

there is zero other identification on it, no stamp on the back, nothing, no manufacture mark except for the #10 on the handle top, and it looks like it was struck as opposed to stamped.

and it has a beautiful cooking finish, just amazing.

[TreasonousBastard]

3. Blacksmiths made iron skillets for hundreds of years, and...

this might be one of them. Cast iron is too brittle to forge, unless there's a secret I don't know, but wrought iron would certainly make a perfectly good pot or skillet.

How old it is is anyone's guess, but if there's a museum or historical society near you, they might look at it and give you some hints.

[mtnester]

4. Thanks, I used "cast" iron as a generic

maybe now I ought to refine my google search, remove a word, and use some different terms and phrases.

[Arkansas Granny]

5. I have no hints or info at all, but that must be one of the most unusual skillets

I have ever seen. I'd love to see a picture that shows the entire piece. Be sure to let us know if you find out anything on it. How intriguing.

[mtnester]

12. Yarg, I have misplaced my USB cable for my camera

So I will post this weekend once I replce it (of course I will find it after I replace it)

[yy4me]

6. You might find some info on this site:

http://www.wag-society.org/index.php


I think yours is a casting. If I saw a rolled edge or straight edge, maybe it could be forged. As I look at your photo's, I'm 100% sure it is cast iron. Great pan, it looks about 3 or 4" deep. Could be a chicken fryer. Nothing better to cook in.

[Warpy]

7. In the top picture, a turned over edge is visible

and extends around the pour spout. The pan looks like it was hammered out of sheet steel with a cast handle welded on. It looks like something a local smith might have made when the store bought pan wore out.

[yy4me]

9. If that pan was made by hand it must have taken weeks. It seems

pretty heavy guage. As to the edge, it seems too square to be a forging plus, if it was soldered, wouldn't you run the risk of melting the solder under extreme heat?

I have seen pictures of hammered aluminum but not of iron. Whatever it is, it's a great pan.

[Warpy]

10. Here's a contemporary example

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/6351969/index.cfm?clg=79&bnrid=3213101&cm_ven=Shopping&cm_cat=Shopzilla&cm_pla=default&cm_ite=default

Hand hammered woks are still being produced, also, as are hand hammered steel drums for Caribbean bands. The process doesn't take as long as you think it does.

It's the crudeness of the pan in the OP that makes me think a local blacksmith must've banged it out.

BTW, melting solder is actually the point. Welding is done under extreme heat and is a more permanent joint than soldering provides.

[yy4me]

11. You are right about welding being stronger than solder.

Whatever the pan is, it's great. And...as for Williams-Sonoma...that is where I go to dream...and buy Wenol and the Amish popcorn. Can't afford much else there but the merchandise is beautiful.

The cookware you linked to is amazing. Would look funny in my 200 year old house but I can certainly appreciate it.

One of the reasons I love cast iron so much is not just it's cooking qualities but also, it looks right at home hanging in my kitchen fireplace.

It is, however, the noisiest stuff on the planet. I use one pan or another almost every day and I nest them in the stove drawer. What a racket getting them in and out.

[mtnester]

15. What I really really really want is one of these

http://www.suite101.com/view_image.cfm/676413

[mtnester]

14. The "hammered" effect on the sides is very regular, like a pattern

none on the bottom, handle or inside of the pan, and also none on the BOTTOM of the pan

[yy4me]

8. Tried to search more about your pan. Could not find what I was

looking for but I found this site that has a great deal of Info about Cast Iron.

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Information/CastIronPans.htm

[mtnester]

13. I have some MUCH better photos on the camera

unfortunately, I have misplaced ny USB cable. I will post them this weekend

I am on a mission on this, and I thank you all for the links and info. The pan itself is about as deep as an average size roma tomato stood on end, and really only has room inside for two eggs..so frying chicken is out, unless I do 1-2 pieces at a time.

It is lovely, and feels great in my hand, and I will for sure post good pics this weekend (see my post upthread about probably finding the USB card after I replace it)

:)

[Lorax]

16. I don't know

I don't know but I am jealous. It looks like a beauty.

[mtnester]

17. Well, it appears some douchebag from conservative cave is fascinated by my question and hates

collectors of antiquities

http://www.conservativecave.com/index.php?topic=31277.0

[Arkansas Granny]

18. Well, aren't they cute? It looks like their hobby is hanging out at DU

looking for things to make fun of. How original. Sounds to me that someone needs to get out more or at least develop some other interests.

[yy4me]

19. PLease folks, read this whole link, its priceless. Antiques and

ebay folks need to see it too. Too funny! Several Gotcha's toward the end and I thank them.