unmarked #8 identification

[Joel Lehman]

I recently required this #8 at an auction that was covered in crud. I ran it through the lye bath only to find that there was no markings. I was thinking maybe it would be an Erie or at least have some ghost marks. There are only two unusual letters by the handle. Any ideas who made this skillet?

 

[Doug D.]

These are just referred to as "initial skillets". While they could have been made by using an Erie skillet to base their pattern upon, the maker is unknown.