10 IN Deep CO

[Troy_Hockensmith]

From my conversations BS&R switched to the DESI molding machines in 1967. I'm not sure if it was early or late in the year, so I'd date the tab handles at 1967,1968 range. Now prior to DESI their lids had looped handles. The automation is what caused the switch in the handles to the tab style. So other than the sauce  pans I think we can date the tab handles to that range.

On the original photos showing the BS&R and Lodge CO side by side notice the differences in sizes. After looking through my notes, Mr. Jones told my one selling point was that the BS&R was advertized as being larger.

Here is a photo of an older DO loop handle, prior to the DESI machines

OK Dwayne, now you confused me. Please understand I'm not trying to push back here, just bear with me as I just want to understand.

 First you indicate that they had a loop style handle up until they got the DESI (which caused them to go to the tab handle in 67, is that correct?) So I understand they had an older loop handle till 67 and then I can date tab handles from 67 to when? You show a loop handle after the desi. How long did they run the Tab handlesbefore they went back to a loop with the desi? (From 1967 to ????)

 The idea that they didn't change the sauce pan patterns make perfect sense to me but there sure is a butt ton of those tabbed CO's out there so they had to have done those tabs for a long time it would seem. Now it might have been new old stock but I recall folks indicating they saw these tabbed handles for sale as late as the 80's in stores.
 Don't you wish we had folks hanging around from a bunch of these old foundries that could give us details like these.

[Dwayne Henson]

Spoke with Mr. Moreman tonight, He was a BS&R's Salesman and ended his career as their Sales Manager when he retired from the company. He was with the company from 1951-1972 or 1973.

When BS&R switched to the DESI machines they did change to the tab type handle, they called it a "wedge handle" For the "Critical Market" items, they very quickly figured out a way to make the loop handle and used only the looped handle design, no wedge handle was ever used on these items.  This includes the DOs and Skillets as they used the same lid. He does not remember any skillet or DO lids ever using the wedge type lid. The BS&R DO with a wedge handle I saw must of been a marriage of a DO and a Kettle lid

Other items: sauce pans, (1, 2, & 3qt) and items that would be used outside over fires got the wedge handles. Outdoor use items included: CO's, Camp Three Legged Skillets, & Kettles.

They used the wedge lid on CO's for many years, maybe 10 years, maybe more, per him. It wasn't a priority to change, as it was going to be used outside, primarily by men, not women, and they assumed that the man would have the strength and/or tools to remove the lid. This would explain why so many CO's are seen with the wedge handle. When they finally changed the CO to a looped handle he wasn't sure.

About your comment that it would be nice to have a bunch of the old foundry guys around, I'd love it, I just wish I could get the few I know in the same room at the same time and see what they could remember collectively.

[Troy_Hockensmith]

Dwayne,
 Man you got some good contacts there. Thanks for sharing!!!

 I guess we can wrap this up by saying the genisis of the tab or wedge handle was the introduction of the Desi machine but it wasn't that they didn't figure out the handle it was more they chose not to remove the tab on the pieces we see.

 Good stuff. Thanks Again.

[Dwayne Henson]

Well, Yes and No.  The DESI did bring about the wedge/tab style handle where before they had used the loop style. And it allowed them to begin casting the less Critical Market items immediately and economically. As Mr. Moreman said about the casting smoothness; economics matter. The paper pushers would try to save penny's here and there, as with courser casting sand, which was cheaper than the finer casting sand that gave a smoother finish. It did take them some time to figure out how to cast the loop handles for the DO and Skillet lids. He wasn't sure how long, but I'm sure there was some pressure on management to get those fancy new machines up and running at full production with critical market items. BS&R was the first US foundry to have these machines, and the first to use them for hollow ware. I believe this is why only BS&R had the wedge/tab handle style. When the other foundries automated their molding they used the knowledge gained from BS&R. In the late 60's BS&R also had more production capacity than any other foundry in the US, another reason for so many COs. I feel another reason for all the tab CO's was the outdoor boom in the late 60's. I know a gentlemen that was upper management with Sears and according to him outdoor sports really took off in the 60's. Camping, hunting, hiking, outdoor cooking ect.

[Troy_Hockensmith]

THanks Dwayne,
 Paul HArvey would be proud!!!

R/Troy

[moosejaw]

Aargh......I always assumed my tab handle COs were Century......so now there is a possibility they are BSR?  Gawd....more to sort out now.  

[Gerald Melsheimer]

Now Marty, BSR made Century, also made Red Mountain.  So to me they are all BSR and it's not a  major problem.  It's all in the details, which is part of the fun in trying to ID who made what and when.

Jerry

[Dwayne Henson]

Marty: Nothing to sort out, Century is BS&R. BS&R made all the hollow ware for Atlanta Stove Works and for themselves. One of the Brand names BS&R used was Century.

 Notice on the label the Wedge/Tab Handle on the kettle, looks similiar to the one Roger posted above.