unknown manufacturer and unknown age dutch oven

[Thomas Banneck]

My mother passed away three years ago and she made a special point to tell me on her death bed there were two things she wanted to remain in the family. One of them was this old dutch oven. I know she got it from ber mom, but where my grandmother got it is unknown. I would just like a sense of why it was so important for her to bring it up. I have no intention of parting with it but do want to get a better picture of its worth, manufacturer, and especially age.

As you can see from the  pictures it is approximately 10" across and 4" high. The bottom has no gate mark or heat ring but is stamped with "8B" in typface. Inside the lid is what I think is either "80" or "08"...maybe "8C" (judge for yourself). I stripped it in the oven and reseasoned it when I got it. It was in sad shape and had a rancid oil smell to it. It is in great shape now (I think).

Any help or insight would be much appreciated

[Thomas Banneck]

More pics

[Valerie Johnson]

Looks like an unmarked Wagner Ware to me.

[Thomas Banneck]

How old?

[Brian Vick]

Looks like an unmarked Wagner Ware to me.

I agree with Valerie 40s/50s
OB ;D

[Thomas Banneck]

This surprises me. My mother always said it was older than her and she was born in '38

[Russell Ware]

If the DO markings are anything like the skillet markings, that DO would be before 1930. I think the skillets transitioned in the 1920's to the pattern # codes.

[Thomas Banneck]

well from the little amount I have learned about this stuff I was under the impression the DO WERE handled the same was the skillets. So assuming this is correct what would YOU think the age is?

[JR Doffin]

The bastings ring on the lid may tell the story on this one. In the 1930's would it not have the zig zag style ?  It has what I think is a later style basting ring.

[Randy Eckstein]

Any chance that its a marriage of an older DO with a newer unmarked lid? Most of the unmarked Wagner lids I've seen have what looks to be a Roman numeral marking like X or V as opposed to what is shown here.

[Thomas Banneck]

I don't believe so at all. My mother was 74 when she passed. This DO was in her life since at least childhood, likely longer.  My grandmother gave it to her when I was a child. The two peices shown her together have been together since at least 1938. That much I am certain of.

On another note. So no offense or anything to all on this board but where are all the expert collectors here described in the following Mission Statement:

-To promote the hobby of cast iron and aluminum cookware collecting
-To preserve and maintain the historical legacy of foundries that produced cast iron and aluminum cookware
-To research and identify cookware pieces produced by the different foundries
-To establish a database of information on cast iron and aluminum cookware

Am I posting this inquiry in the wrong place? I ask because this post makes 10 responses...4 of which are mine. I was under the impression these fourms were the place to go to find people interested in preserving the history of these peices and so far I am not seeing this to be the case. Is there a more appropriate place for me to be turning to because, just being honest here, I feel like I came to the wrong place and misunderstood your Mission Statement before registering.

[Thomas Banneck]

By the way, big thanks to 5 member who took the time to give me their opinion. It was appreciated.

[Tommy Harris]

I don't believe so at all. My mother was 74 when she passed. This DO was in her life since at least childhood, likely longer.  My grandmother gave it to her when I was a child. The two peices shown her together have been together since at least 1938. That much I am certain of.

On another note. So no offense or anything to all on this board but where are all the expert collectors here described in the following Mission Statement:

-To promote the hobby of cast iron and aluminum cookware collecting
-To preserve and maintain the historical legacy of foundries that produced cast iron and aluminum cookware
-To research and identify cookware pieces produced by the different foundries
-To establish a database of information on cast iron and aluminum cookware

Am I posting this inquiry in the wrong place? I ask because this post makes 10 responses...4 of which are mine. I was under the impression these fourms were the place to go to find people interested in preserving the history of these peices and so far I am not seeing this to be the case. Is there a more appropriate place for me to be turning to because, just being honest here, I feel like I came to the wrong place and misunderstood your Mission Statement before registering.

Just my $.02 as a Forum visitor like yourself, not a paid member. 

I'd say you got a few responses right along what you were asking.   I have asked many questions on this forum as a visitor and received as many answers.   I haven't paid to become a member yet mainly because our family can't really afford the extra expense at the moment.   I would be led to believe though that there are a decent number of members that only participate in the Members only section.    If you want more info, I'd be willing to bet you can get a little more over there.   

Now, on the Dutch Oven.  As with many many  cast iron pieces, if they are not specifically marked, there is no way to 100% be able to say the manufacturer or age without at least a little speculation.  These folks have offered up advice from their experiences and research.   Is it all factual?  Who knows for sure?  That's part of the allure to me about cast iron.   Also, is it possible that when your mom says "older than her" she could very well mean,  "this thing has been around forever, at least as long as I can remember"   That would let it fall into the 40's time period quite easily.   

Once again, just my two pennies.   I am in no way, an expert or even really knowledgeable on the subject.   

[C. Perry Rapier]

Hello Thomas. I have been a collector for over thirty years. There is a lot of pieces that we just can't identify. Even though you have not got a lot of responses, look at how many times folks stopped in to check this thread, which is one hundred and seventeen times. And I would say that most of them are like me. I do not know for sure where your piece came from or how old it is or how much its worth. So I didn't post anything. We sure don't have all the answers. Sometimes we just take a guess based on what we do know. For what its worth here, even though I don't know much about it, I do know enough about it to see that it is a nice well cast piece with a nice smooth finish. And although its been said here, the lid looks like a Wagner lid to me also, with the drip rings looking like shark teeth. I'm sorry I can't tell you more about your piece. But if it belonged to my mother it would be a special piece to me as I am sure it is to you as well. Don't be a stranger Thomas. Please drop by and say hello anytime.  :)