A pox on all hole drillers! (ruined kettle)

[LVaughn]

When I found this kettle it was so covered with painted-over rust that the print on the bottom was not visible. I got it cheap because it was really ugly and the holes in the bottom. The inside is heavily pitted and the bottom is very thin in places, I assume caused by decades of use as a planter. The bale is in surprisingly good shape, I don’t think it is original. I had intended to include “before” photos but I must have accidentally deleted them as my phone keeps saying it is out of memory.

 

[SeanD]

Looks to me like someone shot at it. Bail is probably newer.

 

[LVaughn]

The 3 big holes are all very uniform, undoubtedly made with a drill. The smaller hole is irregular, possibly it started as a pinhole in a deep pit. I have considered trying to plug the holes with sections of stainless steel bolt as I have done with other kettles, but the iron is so thin there I have doubts about how successful that would be.

 

[Jim G]

Weren't these pots designed for use over a coal or wood fire? After one hole formed, I would have used it for non-cooking purposes.

I've got a couple of cracked Griswold pans - one is a hanging decoration because it came from my Mom's kitchen, the other is a succulent planter because I found the crack after the lye bath.

I would use it for planter or as a bowl for Halloween candy and keep on looking for a intact one and maybe stripping it of that bail, as it looks pretty useful as a spare part.

-jim