Hi I am new today. My interests include dogs, parrots, antiques, genealogy, plants & now cast iron cookware. My husband & I bought a Lodge 12 " skillet are getting used to this cooking method. I also have my grandmother' s small cast iron DO with the # 8 on the lid. My grandmother was from La. & lived from 1881-1971. I inherited this after she passed. We live in Illinois. I would like to find out more about my family pot. The 'feet' are well worn, with gate mark on bottom & underside of lid. Would like to 'clean ' it up & use it like my Cajun grandma did.