Is this a fry pan from 1860-1880?

[Eliza Lord]

I found this fry pan in a jumbled pile at a junk sale over the weekend. I can't believe it wasn't cracked, and I think the very slight bow to the bowl might be part of how it was cast with the gate mark. Is it a 1860-1880 era CI pan? Is it a normal color - silvery where seasoning is rubbed off but not rusty? Also is it common not to have a spout or feet? What is the filed-looking, shiny half-moon shape opposite the handle, it's about the size of a dime?

I've got the bug bad, but I'm pretty new to this. Been reading/watching everything I can get my hands on for a couple months... plus hunting. I don't suppose y'all have a 12-step program?!  :) I'll probably pay for a membership to WAGS after Christmas.

[Russell Ware]

That’s a very nice skillet you found. I would say you are in the right ballpark with your date range, but I might increase the range to1890. It’s tough to comment on the silvery appearance; since the skillet has not been cleaned. It may be nickel plated. That half-moon mark looks like another form of gate marking. Zero, one or two spouts are common on the older skillets. Yours looks like it was made to fit a tin lid judging from the rim on it. Are you going to clean it up?

[Jeff Friend]

Welcome to WAGS, Eliza.

That is a nice pan.  I need to find a junk pile like that one to dig through.

Roger or Joel need to weigh in on this one, but I am going to say older than 1880, and maybe a good bit earlier.  A skillet like this one makes me think early stove furniture.

[Eliza Lord]

Thanks for the detailed reply! I'm very excited about it and plan to clean it up using the oven cleaner + bag method. I've never restored one before, does the bagged oven cleaner smell once you close it up tight? I've been trying to decide where to put it since my house is small and it's supposed to get cold soon.

[Paul Okarma]

Welcome!  Nice, old skillet.

Cleaner sealed in a plastic bag won't smell.  If in doubt, double bag it.

[Mark Zizzi]

Welcome Eliza..that was quite a nice find. That silver half moon could also have been from a small defect in the mold and got ground off. Nope, no 12 step program. Drugs, alcohol, gambling they can cure, but not this addiction. I see a lye bath in your future. But the bag shouldn't smell up your house too bad, no worse than cleaning your oven and probably less so.  Let us have a look at it when you're done.  8-)

[Eliza Lord]

Haha, I've already been researching inexpensive ways to set up a lye bath and e-bath. My autistic daughter is getting into it, too -- perfect kind of hobby for her love of well-made old things and her attention to detail.

As of this morning the 19th century skillet is marinating in its bag. I had enough oven cleaner left to do 4 more of the skillets I've bought.i put them in separate bags because I wasn't sure if you can double them up? So far I've never paid more than $14 for one. Wheeeee!!! I'll definitely post more pics when ithis pan comes out of the spa. Any and all advice on this and the hobby in general is welcome. :)

[Mark Zizzi]

The cleaning and restoration thread has a wealth of information, but I know there are always questions that come up. I had a million of them myself, just ask about anyone here, ha.  But ask and you shall receive.  ;) Personally i have never tried the oven cleaner in a bag method, but I don't know why you couldn't have 2 or more in the same bag as long as you have enough oven cleaner in there to keep them all thoroughly wet and soaking in the stuff.   8-)

[Jim Glatthaar]

Welcome, Eliza.  Mark is not entirely accurate.  The only cure for castironitis is a spouse who carefully monitors your spending ;D

That skillet is some find for someone just starting out.  We all don't have that kind of luck.  Keep it up ;)

[Roger Barfield]

Eliza, welcome to the Forum.  That is a wonderful old skillet.  I love the detail and the casting.  The very thin gate mark on the bottom is a beautiful thing.  The detail on the handle is awesome.  I have a soft spot for the old skillets like these.  As far as age, my guess would be closer to the civil war era.  It's only my opinion though.  No idea who made it or any proof.  I'm surprised it doesn't have a size number on it.  It's a beauty.  Please post some photos when you get it all cleaned up.  I think the place on the side wall is just a casting flaw.  No big deal for skillets such as this. 

[Larry Pesek]

Eliza,
  What an awesome find!  [smiley=drool1.gif]
  I LOVE those older/unknown bottom gated skillets!... And lucky you finding such an old one 'in the wild'...  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]  Can't wait to see it cleaned and ready for use!

Larry

  BTW - I have put multiple pieces in one bag to clean with okay results - although nowadays, most of my cleaning is done with electrolysis and elbow grease.