Is this a legitimate Griswold?

[Eric Bainter]

I haven't cooked on cast iron since I was in Boy Scouts, but recently I've been hankering to get a cast iron skillet.  A little research showed that Griswold seems to be the gold standard.  While pondering this by chance what I think is "hinged chicken fryer" with Griswold trademarks fell into my lap.

Operating on the principle that if it's too good to be true it probably isn't I of course searched for some information online, which brought me to WAGS.

Pretty much all the pictures I have seen so far show one of the Griswold TradeMark variants accompanied by "Erie" or "Eric PA" or similar identification.

The pieces I have do not have any location information. 

The fryer part has a very crisp clear doublecircle Griswold TM in block lettering with a "NO. 80" about 1/3 of the way from 12 o'clock and the center (assuming the handle is at 6 o'clock).  There is a letter "A" (mold identification?) on the underside of the handle, and a numeral "8" on the top of the handle.

The lid has a somewhat "fuzzy" doublecircle Griswold TM -- there is some roughness within the grooves of the circles, cross, and the block lettering.  Approx 1/3 of the way from 12 o'clock is the mark "NO.800", and the grooves are also a bit rough. The handle also has an "A" underneath and an "8" on top.

I don't see any further marks on it.

Can anyone tell from this info and the pictures that follow if this  is the genuine article?  I would appreciate any info.  The pictures show the condition I received it in.

[Valerie Johnson]

Looks real to me, Late groove handle chicken fryer

[Neal Birkett]

Post-1957.  No Eire.

[Eric Bainter]

Looks real to me, Late groove handle chicken fryer

Thanks!

[Eric Bainter]

Post-1957.  No Eire.

So, not made at the original foundry in Pennsylvania but at the Sydney Ohio Wagner plant, if I understand the history correctly?

[Neal Birkett]

Yes.  It can be considered a legitimate Griswold, since the owners of the foundry at Sydney were the legitimate owners of the name and trademark.  If you want a double skillet to use, that is a fine piece. 

However, if you want a collectible, not so much.

[Eric Bainter]

Yes.  It can be considered a legitimate Griswold, since the owners of the foundry at Sydney were the legitimate owners of the name and trademark.  If you want a double skillet to use, that is a fine piece. 

However, if you want a collectible, not so much.

Thank you very much.  I was looking for one for the stove top, not the showcase, so this will do just fine. 

It was pretty gunky and dirty when I first got it. Using the info on this site (mostly) I've cleaned and seasoned it, and while I think I will do better next time, I am now willing to eat off it.