Did Wagner make #2 or #3 skillets with heat rings?

[Steven Wood]

I'm trying to round out my two skillet collections. I found a nice 1920-24 era  "3B" that doesn't have a heat ring, so it makes me think that #2 and #3 skillets for that era don't have heat rings. For my 1924-1935 era collection I need to know if that series with heat rings, size on the top of the handle, and catalog numbers (1052, 1053) have heat rings for the #2 and #3 sizes.
So far, I haven't ran across any of them, and it makes me wonder how to tell the difference between the 1924-35 era skillets and the later smooth bottom skillets from 1935-59.
Confused? Me too!  :-/
Can someone please explain how to differentiate between the skillet-eras that have the 4-digit catalog numbers?

[Cheryl Watson]

Hello Steven, welcome!  (your 1st post!)

1924 is the starting time frame for the appearance of Catalog Numbers on Wagner pieces.  Prior to this, one would expect to see the Size Number on the bottom of the item.

Page 231 of the Blue Book shows the HR Stylized Logo with Catalog Number produced in Sizes 2 thru 14.

I think you will find that production of styles (i.e. Heat Rings and Smooth Bottom skillets) were run at the same time with significant overlap. 

Unfortunately, the Old Original catalogs never showed the bottoms of the darned skillets! or other pieces for that matter... :)

The Redbook contains much more information on WagnerWare, and the BlueBook appears to show categories that Update information already in the Redbook.   Great resources, but not the final say, as information continues to be discovered!

I think you will find that when it comes to WagnerWare... it is about as clear as mud.... ;) ;)

[Steven Wood]

Thanks Cheryl!
Yes, I've found the Blue and Red books to be invaluable. Since I *have* found a #3 Stylized Logo with the size (not the catalog #) on the bottom (1920-24) without a heat ring, it leads me to believe that heat rings are not present for #2 or #3 size skillets.
(Has anyone seen one?)

If the same holds true for the 1924-35 series with the 4-digit catalog #s, I can't think of a method to tell them apart from the smooth bottomed series from 1935-59! Could the handle base have a subtly different design? I can't tell from the pictures in the Blue or Red books.

[Cheryl Watson]

Oh my... Wagner and handle styles... they seem to have changed at will.
One thing I have learned, is that I don't even attempt to use handle styles as an indicator of anything....  it will make you feel.... 
 [smiley=Drunk.gif] [smiley=question-marks.gif] [smiley=yikes.gif]

[Brian Vick]

Thanks Cheryl!
Yes, I've found the Blue and Red books to be invaluable. Since I *have* found a #3 Stylized Logo with the size (not the catalog #) on the bottom (1920-24) without a heat ring, it leads me to believe that heat rings are not present for #2 or #3 size skillets.
(Has anyone seen one?)
I don't believe Wagner ever made a #3 skillet w/a heat ring!

If the same holds true for the 1924-35 series with the 4-digit catalog #s, I can't think of a method to tell them apart from the smooth bottomed series from 1935-59! Could the handle base have a subtly different design? I can't tell from the pictures in the Blue or Red books.

[Harry Riva]

IMO the BB is incorrect in showing Wagner # 2 and #3 skillets with heat rings. Could be wrong but I've never seen either and have not heard of anyone having either one. No secret the BB has listing for skillets that have never been seen that I know of. See listing for 13 and 14 Wapak Indian head in BB.
H

[Steven Wood]

Thanks everyone for confirming my suspicions.  ;) You guys are great. (My girlfriend thinks I'm nuts)

Wagner seems to be fraught with inconsistencies, but I suppose that contributes to their charm. They curtailed heat rings at #3 and below, yet produced even smaller toy pieces WITH heat rings..  :-/

Any ideas about differentiating the #2 and #3 skillets of the 1924-35 series (with the 4-digit catalog #s) from the smooth bottomed series from 1935-59?