Griswold #8 DO question

[babyface]

Hi all. My latest acquisition was a #8 Griswold block/E.P.U. DO that I picked up at a yard sale for the princely sum of $3.00. Not in bad shape but does exhibit some outside bottom casting roughness and inside cooking surface pitting. It had a lot of superficial surface rust from neglect. Lye bath, vinegar bath and heat-seasoning have helped to smooth out the rough edges just a bit. My question is about the lid. It is unmarked on top, and is only marked "8" and "493" underneath. The DO has the p/n "633A".  Is this lid original to the oven, as I thought all Gris DO's had "Griswold" embossed or debossed somewhere on the cover? There's another thread about this same topic concerning a #6 DO in the "Guest" forum section. Maybe this topic should've been an attachment there. Anyway; thanks, in advance,  for any info any of you can impart. Best regards to all!

[moosejaw]

Hi Donald,

Your #8 Do is PN 833.....not 633.  PN 633 is a wheat and corn stick pan.  Sometimes those numbers are hard to read.  

There is no listing in the red book for a 493 lid.  Interestingly, PN 491 is a #9 Dutch Oven, unmarked.....and PN 494 is a No. 9 Dutch Oven cover, unmarked.

It would certainly make sense then,  that your lid, PN493 would be an unmarked lid for a number 8.  

Since Griswold made an unmarked #9 DO and lid, and since you have an unmarked #8 lid, might it not be reasonable to assume the Griswold did indeed make an unmarked #8 DO?

I think this might be valuable info to forward to Dave Smith, perhaps with a pic if Donald would be so kind.  He might want to add this to his book.


Hope this makes sense to you, Donald.  Thanks SO much for sharing this information!

[babyface]

Marty: Thanks so much for your very speedy and informative reply. Youre right about the DO p/n being "833", not "633". Its hard to read the numbers at 2:30 a.m. It sounds like the oven and lid might be a matched set. I'd be glad to forward pictures of it to you, if you so desire, to forward them on to Dave Smith. Please let me know if you want them. Thanks, again, and best regards.

[Steve_Stephens]

Donald, the Griswold block EPU dutch ovens can come with either a fully marked on top cover or a plain cover.  But the plain cover goes on a different No.8 dutch oven then the marked one.  We would need to know which do you have; is it the one with the patent number (1,333,917) on the bottom (smooth top goes on it) or the earlier one (writing cover goes on it).  You may have a marriage of an earlier cover with the bottom or a period correct cover but from one of Griswold's unmarked dutch ovens.
Steve

[Will Person]

Donald,  your 493 is listed in the new blue book.  493 is a Good Heath #8 dutch oven lid.  I gave the number to Dave as I have one.   Your bottom does not go to that top.

Will Person Jr.

[Will Person]

Bottom of DO.

[babyface]

Thanks Will: That's the cover to my #8 Gris DO alright. It appears that a non-regulation match was made between the oven and lid, sometime in the past. Oh well, for $3.00...what can you expect. Thanks, again, for your excellent info.

[moosejaw]

Donald,

You may already know this, but Griswold made the Good Health line.  

[babyface]

Hi Marty: Yes, I know Good Health was made by Griswold, but the cover is still mismatched to the DO. It would make a good user, only; as the collectability of such a combination would be minimal at best. The overall condition of the DO, coupled with it being a common #8, would make the expenditure for a proper lid superfluous. Anyway, thanks very much for your input regarding this thread. Best regards.

[Will Person]

Hi Marty: Yes, I know Good Health was made by Griswold, but the cover is still mismatched to the DO. It would make a good user, only; as the collectability of such a combination would be minimal at best. The overall condition of the DO, coupled with it being a common #8, would make the expenditure for a proper lid superfluous. Anyway, thanks very much for your input regarding this thread. Best regards.

Ahhhh.....but someone out there needs a lid for there Good Heath bottom.   Or watch Ebay and a bottom will show up one day that your lid can find a home.   I bought a #7 Iron Mountain DO cover,  in hopes to find a bottom some day.   I have a compleat #7 IM DO,  so the lid is just waiting to find a home.   Nice find you found.   Expecially for the huge sume of $3.00 :o   I love to hear of new finds.   And your lid you found is HARD to find.

Will 8-)

[babyface]

Hi Will: Thank you for your very optimistic opinion of this #8 Griswold DO find. As you've stated, perhaps its greatest value would be to match the oven up with the proper lid, and the lid up with the proper oven. I suppose time will tell. You're right about the price. $3.00 doesnt go too far these days...and the never ending hunt goes on! Best regards.

[Will Person]

Donald,

I see you have been a Wags visitor for awhile.   You are definitely hooked on iron.   And have an eye for good stuff.   I would love to peronally invite you to join Wags.   I think you would love to see more indepth discussions that we have on iron on the Wags side of this forum.   Please consider it.


Thanks,

Will 8-)