Unknown skillet

[DWillie]

This is an oldie. Unpolished cooking area. Is it possible to find a maker and date for it?
Thanks.
Darien

 

[Steve Stephens]

I have been concentrating on collecting early skillets with some griddles included. So far I have had little luck in identifying the maker of unmarked pans. Once in a while you'll get a pan with some identifying feature such as the handle shape, pouring lip, etc. If you can match to a known (marked) piece or a catalog illustration (not too often as they are just illustrations, not photos) you can learn the maker. For the most part just enjoy a piece well over 100 years old and marvel at the quality and style.

 

[TyHiggins]

That almost looks like a replica or recast, although that seems unlikely. Odd that it doesn't have the gate mark like all other old pieces like that I've seen, or that it wouldn't be polished.

 

[DWillie]

Thanks for the interest.
There is a gate mark, but not like the narrow slit that most have. probably hard to see in my pics. It is fairly smooth, but not polished by machining. I wonder if this was produced before milling machines were in use. It had so much carbon on it, the 7 wasnt able to be seen.It is flat and no warps, and very light.
Its one of my favorites to be sure, as it doesnt stick hardly at all. Maybe I got lucky with the seasoning. LOL
Thanks for looking.
Darien

 

[Doug D.]

Earlier pieces exhibit what's called a "sprue" mark, which is typically a small, roundish area where the molten iron entered the mold, as opposed to a slit. "Sprue" and "gate" are terms which continue to be applied to the modern casting process.