Old Wagner Skillet

[Tom Adger]

Hello everyone.  New member.  I have attached some pictures of an old Wagner skillet which has been in my family for as long as I can remember. (I'm 73)  I use it at least every other week to make my cornbread!  It gets used, like it should, not set on a shelf and admired.

The bottom has "WAGNER" in straight block letters.  Underneath that is SIDNEY, and under that O. This lettering is centered on the bottom.  Under that is 8E.  The skillet has no cracks or dings, and sits flat.

I'm assuming this skillet is pretty old.

[Valerie Johnson]

I believe that mark was used in the 1910-1915 time frame, I think it is referred to as  Wagner Sidney -O- Straight/Straight Centered

[Duke Gilleland]

A sure 'nuff good 'un from the Wagner line! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Mark Zizzi]

Hello Tom and welcome, 
Yep that's a good 'un alright. Good for cornbread and a whole lot more. Being a "family" skillet, don't you wish that skillet could tell ya about all the family meals that came out of it?  ;)

[Jim Glatthaar]

Tom, I agree with you and Mark.  These old skillets were workhorses and still perform the same way after all these years.  I have said it before here, but there is something magical about cooking with a skillet made long before my parents (and in some cases my grandparents) were born 8-)

[C. Perry Rapier]

Tom, I agree with you and Mark.  These old skillets were workhorses and still perform the same way after all these years.  I have said it before here, but there is something magical about cooking with a skillet made long before my parents (and in some cases my grandparents) were born 8-)

Hello Jim. Thats a good way of putting it. I agree. And also we are only temporary caretakers of our cast iron. My job is to see this stuff is preserved for others as it was preserved for me. And I like to think I am doing a good job.

And Tom, I hear what you are saying that a skillet is to be used and you use yours rather than let it sit on a shelf and be admired. Its tough to do that if you have a lot of them.  :)

[Tom Adger]

Tom, I agree with you and Mark.  These old skillets were workhorses and still perform the same way after all these years.  I have said it before here, but there is something magical about cooking with a skillet made long before my parents (and in some cases my grandparents) were born 8-)

Hello Jim. Thats a good way of putting it. I agree. And also we are only temporary caretakers of our cast iron. My job is to see this stuff is preserved for others as it was preserved for me. And I like to think I am doing a good job.

And Tom, I hear what you are saying that a skillet is to be used and you use yours rather than let it sit on a shelf and be admired. Its tough to do that if you have a lot of them.  :)

Perry, I plan to acquire at least three more old skillets.  I will clean them, season them, and put them under the Christmas tree for my three children :)

[Mark Zizzi]

Another thing I would add Tom, is your old Wagner looks pretty reddish...both top and bottom. If that is rust, you should address it before it gets worse. Hopefully it's not reddish from heat damage, which can't be fixed.

[Jim Glatthaar]

Perry, you have a lot of skillets?  I'm surprised to hear that.  :o :o :o :o

[C. Perry Rapier]

Perry, you have a lot of skillets?  I'm surprised to hear that.  :o :o :o :o

Hello Jim. I'm from Ky you know. And many years ago when I was counting my skillets I had to count on my fingers and toes and that wasn't too bad. It was kind of embarrassing to start with but I got over it. But I have quite a few skillets. I ain't the biggest fish in the cast iron pond. But the bullfrogs don't bother me.  ;D