Questions about #8 Victor Skillets

[woodrat]

Hello All,

I have a question about Victor Skillets by Griswold.  I have these two number 8 pans and there are some marked differences.  The Blue book does not really cover this well so I impose on the fine minds here to learn a bit more.

Here is a picture of the two side by side.  The first thing that I noticed when I picked them up is a substantial weight difference.  The one on the left in the picture weighs 4 pounds and the one on the right weighs 3 1/4 pounds.  The other things I notice are the different handles, the placement of the pattern number 722, the comma after the CO. in the third line, the comma in a higher location after PA., and the "font" used seems a good bit different.

I am guessing that they are two different vintages but I have no idea how to determine that.  Do you use the handle as a guide? Any information about these two would be greatly appreciated.

Best,

John

[C. Perry Rapier]

John, I don't know the answer to your questions, but, I do know them are two fine looking skillets. And I would say the one on the right is the oldest and the lightest.

[woodrat]

John, I don't know the answer to your questions, but, I do know them are two fine looking skillets. And I would say the one on the right is the oldest and the lightest.

Thanks, Perry.  Yep the one on the right is 3/4 of a pound lighter, and I figured older.  The wall thickness is a bit thinner too which I didn't mention before.  Maybe someone can chime in on the dating of these two and we'll both learn something.  8-)

[Roger Barfield]

John, Perry's right about the one on the right being the older of the two.  These Victor skillets followed all the other Griswold skillet designs starting with the Erie skillets on forward. The older skillets were lighter and more thinly cast.  The newer ones became heavier and thicker over time.

[Jeff_Paden]

These variations do not appear to be on the "Griswold Skillet Chart", which, incidently, has a dead link on the WAGS Members PDF section.  I would imagine the Victors could be identified by series as well.  Anyone have any other examples?  If the one on the right was an "ERIE" which series would it belong to and how would the handles be dated if these were not Victors?

[Roger Barfield]

Jeff, go to the section that has the pdf files and look at the third post from the top in the stickies section.  I posted Roy's chart in excel and pdf form.  

[Jeff_Paden]

Thanks Roger both downloaded. :)

Do you think these Victors should be broken out by Series as well?

[Brian Gray]

I would guess that the Victor on the left was made at the same time as the smooth bottomed Griswold skillets of the 1930’s, while the one on the right was made during the 1920’s, and corresponds with the EPU skillets with heat rings and ribbed handles. I’m just basing my assumption on the handle designs. By the way, does anyone have a Victor skillet without a pattern number? There isn’t one pictured in the blue book, and I would like to know if Victors were made way back then.
Thanks,
Brian

[C. Perry Rapier]

Hello Brian, I see, I think I got this right, that this is your first time here on WAGS. Welcome, its a pleasure to have you.  :)

While I do not know for sure, perhaps someone else does, Roy maybe, your thoughts sound plausible to me on the time frame. As far as seeing a Victor without a pattern number, I have seen a lot of Victors, but to be honest with you, I don't know if they all had pattern numbers or not. Sorry, I ain't much help.  :-[

It sounds like this ain't your first rodeo on this cast iron stuff Brian. What other kind of cast iron do you have? :)

[Roy G. Meadows]

Brian,
There was a series of VICTOR skillets made without pattern numbers. These had an outside heat ring and were made in sizes 7, 8, & 9. We believe the production of these corresponded to the production of the Second Series ERIE's about c1886-c1892. In general VICTOR's can be matched with the other Griswold skillets if you look carefully at the casting and its various identifying characteristics. The latest version (6/27/08) of the Griswold Skillet Chart shows five VICTOR series with approximate dates.
                                                                       Roy Meadows

[Brian Gray]

Roy, thanks for the information. Now I know that I need to keep my eyes open for one of those. I do have a Victor with the ouside heat ring but it has a pattern number like the later Erie skillets. Thanks again for the help.
Brian