Not sure if anyone is an expert on the differences in Griswold Skillet handles here, but I have an interesting find.
From what I have been able to figure out, there are three basic handle types for Griswold Skillets.
1. Early Handle: This is the tear drop shaped handle opening with a point on the end of the handle opening closest to the pan. Underneath the handle the opening has a recessed area that is larger than the opening, and is tapered, but still tear drop shaped with a point. This was used roughly from 1909 to 1944.
2. Late Handle: This style doesn't have a point on either end of the opening. It is rounded on both ends and tapers smaller as it nears the pan. The recessed area underneath the handle is still tear drop shaped and comes to a point.
3. Grooved Handle: This style looks exactly like the Late Handle when viewed from the top. The underside is however hollowed out for the length of the handle.
Now for the interesting part. In a post on the Wagner and Griswold Society forum back in 2005, Steve Stephens, an expert on Griswold, noted that there was a fourth, rarely seen handle style. He stated that he had only seen one example in 30 years of collecting Griswold cookware.
This past weekend I purchased a #8 Large Logo Block Letter EPU skillet for $12.00. I already own another. They are identical with the exception of the mold letter, and the handle.
When I started to clean up the new one, I noticed that it looked different on the underside of the handle. It has the pointed tear drop opening, but the recessed area is deeper and wider than the Early Handle.
Don't know if I have a one in a million rare piece here or not.
From what I have been able to figure out, there are three basic handle types for Griswold Skillets.
1. Early Handle: This is the tear drop shaped handle opening with a point on the end of the handle opening closest to the pan. Underneath the handle the opening has a recessed area that is larger than the opening, and is tapered, but still tear drop shaped with a point. This was used roughly from 1909 to 1944.
2. Late Handle: This style doesn't have a point on either end of the opening. It is rounded on both ends and tapers smaller as it nears the pan. The recessed area underneath the handle is still tear drop shaped and comes to a point.
3. Grooved Handle: This style looks exactly like the Late Handle when viewed from the top. The underside is however hollowed out for the length of the handle.
Now for the interesting part. In a post on the Wagner and Griswold Society forum back in 2005, Steve Stephens, an expert on Griswold, noted that there was a fourth, rarely seen handle style. He stated that he had only seen one example in 30 years of collecting Griswold cookware.
This past weekend I purchased a #8 Large Logo Block Letter EPU skillet for $12.00. I already own another. They are identical with the exception of the mold letter, and the handle.
When I started to clean up the new one, I noticed that it looked different on the underside of the handle. It has the pointed tear drop opening, but the recessed area is deeper and wider than the Early Handle.
Don't know if I have a one in a million rare piece here or not.
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