I had to pick up the last #7 long pan I found. It was only $5. I found another earlier that day, and the two pans have the exact same handle. I have a #8 long pan with the exact same handle. I figure they were made by the same foundry. As you can see in the first picture, they all have a raised number marking. The raised marking, however, is in either a different location or a different orientation. The numbers are roughly the same size. What I’m wondering is if the molders used these also as molder’s marks? I realize the simple answer is that the foundry had more than one pattern, but why wouldn’t the numbers be in the same place and orientation on the patterns? The two #7's stack on each other perfectly, are the same dimensions and would appear to be from the same foundry. I’ve seen another #8 that had a similar handle and marking like one the #7's here, instead of being marked on the rim as shown here. Anyone have any thoughts on this subject?
Thanks.
