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[Delilah]

Hello,
I am a new collector of cast iron. I was honestly just looking for good pots to cook with and I have become very interested in learning about the collectible cast iron. I just bought this 12 inch dutch oven at a thrift store and was wondering if anyone could tell me more about it and tell me what it is worth.
The bottom says:
CAST IRON
TITE-TOP DUTCH OVEN
<upside down V>
PAT'D MAR 16 20"

There are no other marks.

Here is a picture of the bottom. Thanks for your help!
Delilah

[Delilah]

Here is a second picture, I don't know how to do more than one picture in a message.

[fliccer]

I am in the learning stages myself and hae a similar item I was just asking about. The folks herre told me that it was made by Wagner from a pattern that company acquired from the Griswold Company when it went out of business. Does your lid have a number stamped on the inside? that will give the size and help determine the price.  Ooops, I just read your post again and see you said it was 12 inches. Regardless, is your lid marked in any way.
JVN

[Greg Stahl]

Yeap, that is a #10 camp oven made by Wagner Ware.

[ysageev]

...and a very nice find, if you got it at a thrift store price.  8-)

[Delilah]

Thanks for all of your replies! It has no marks on the lid. I know it is 12 inches because I measured across. I paid $16. Is that a good deal? I see cast iron for 10 to 20 dollars often, but I am hesitant to buy because I just don't know what to look for other then the obvious trademarks. Any tips on what to look for?

[Sandy Glenn]

Delilah, $16 for a camp oven with lid is indeed a good price.  Steal is a better word.  It will be a good user for you.  As for CI shopping tips, I always try to find items with good smooth casting, not grainy or rough, and easy to handle.  You want to watch for cracks, pitting and warpage.  Sometimes the first two are hard to spot on dirty pans especially in dimly lit places.  I carry a small wooden ruler to lay across the bottom to check warping.  If it shows daylight at the center or rocks, I pass.  

[Steve_Stephens]

Any tips on what to look for?

A good book.  Get a copy of the Blue Book (Book of Griswold & Wagner by Smith & Wafford).  It will repay you many times over by giving you a beginning to advanced education.  Follow ebay sales to see what prices different pieces bring.  Ask questions here.  THEN go get some nice iron.  A few better pieces are better than a pile of cheap mediocre ones.

Steve

[Delilah]

I forgot to ask...Any idea on age of this camp oven?

[Steve_Stephens]

I forgot to ask...Any idea on age of this camp oven?

c.mid 1960's to 1980's?

Steve