Help Identifying and Aging This Pan

[K_Leonard]

I recently restored this 8" pan for my sister-in-law. It had a lot of carbon buildup on the outside but after a leisurely weekend messing with it and re-seasoning it turned out great. I didn't know what the slash mark was on the bottom and once cleaned up I could finally make out some of the markings on the bottom. With a little research, I now know the slash is a gate mark. The 8 is clearly visible and I think the numbers near the handle are 704. Additionally, I see a faint portion of what I think is the Griswold emblem near the center of the pan. I assume the sand shift that caused the gate mark would have partially erased whatever markings were in the center of the pan. Is this pan really from the 1880's as my limited research is suggesting?

[Doug D.]

Since Griswold did not use bottom gating during the period that they used this trademark (they never used bottom gating, actually) this is what's known as a recast. You can learn more about recasts here:

http://www.castironcollector.com/recast.php

If the markings of the trademark were less obscured, we could at least say during or after about what period of years the recast would had to have been made. My guess is that it's a "Slant Erie" TM, due the the absence of "CAST IRON SKILLET" above the 8.

Related: http://www.castironcollector.com/griswoldtm.php

[K_Leonard]

Thank you very much. I'll spend some time reading the links you provided.