Help identifying cast iron skillet

Hey everyone, could use some help identifying the maker of this skillet, 5 or so years ago when my grandparents passed, we found this in the basement. I cleaned, seasoned it back up and have been using it ever since. No markings besides the number 8 on the bottom.

Photos here: https://goo.gl/photos/2snyELGSrhazRoL48

Thanks!

You might see if any of the information here might be of help: http://www.castironcollector.com/unmarked.php

Hard to say, but looks like a Griswold from (roughly) the 1940's.

larrybard said:

You might see if any of the information here might be of help: http://www.castironcollector.com/unmarked.php

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Thanks, I've looked through resources like this before, but haven't come across anything that matches my pan yet.

It is a three notch Lodge. Made before they started putting their name on it.

Could be as early as 1940s as late as 1970s

Triple notch inset heat ring with size # at 12 oclock opposite handle, no other markings = Lodge circa 1940s?

Lodge Manufacturing Co.
1940s-1987
- Skillets have inset heat ring with 3 notches at 9/12/3 o'clock.
- Pattern identifying marks incised at 6 o'clock or raised shift identifier on a small flat blob of metal above the size number at 12 o'clock (1940s-50s)

rick_english said:

Hard to say, but looks like a Griswold from (roughly) the 1940's.

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Just curious here, what are the identifying characteristics?

If it has a machined, smooth interior surface, it is early. If it is the cast surface inside, it is a later model. This one appears to have the later cast surface, or it is badly pitted from rust. Also, the early cast iron pans were thinner and lighter, prior to automation when the molds were formed by hand.

dwalker said:

It is a three notch Lodge. Made before they started putting their name on it.

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lus1:

Dave Martell said:

lus1:

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I collected vintage cast iron before I got into jknives. An inexpensive hobby compared to this one.

chiffonodd said:

Triple notch inset heat ring with size # at 12 oclock opposite handle, no other markings = Lodge circa 1940s?

Lodge Manufacturing Co.
1940s-1987
- Skillets have inset heat ring with 3 notches at 9/12/3 o'clock.
- Pattern identifying marks incised at 6 o'clock or raised shift identifier on a small flat blob of metal above the size number at 12 o'clock (1940s-50s)

Click to expand...

Awesome, thanks!

dwalker said:

If it has a machined, smooth interior surface, it is early. If it is the cast surface inside, it is a later model. This one appears to have the later cast surface, or it is badly pitted from rust. Also, the early cast iron pans were thinner and lighter, prior to automation when the molds were formed by hand.

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Don't remember how much rust there was, don't think it required too much clean up, so it probably is the latter. Pan is 4.7 lbs (light compared to my new lodge, which is a full pound lighter.)

capslockpirate said:

which is a full pound lighter.)

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meant "which is a full pound heavier" here

Nice job on the cleanup. I love lodge and am a little jealous that you have this kind of history. My grandma gave all hers away before I was born when the "better" aluminum and steel pans came out. She never understood why I wanted cookware that could rust.

TheCaptain said:

Nice job on the cleanup. I love lodge and am a little jealous that you have this kind of history. My grandma gave all hers away before I was born when the "better" aluminum and steel pans came out. She never understood why I wanted cookware that could rust.

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Sad to hear someone would just give away cast iron for stainless steel

I'm glad I snagged this pan before one of my cousins did, I use it every day now.

Great looking pan that you've resurrected. It staggers me when I think of how much knowledge exists on this forum... even when it's not about knives!

capslockpirate said:

Sad to hear someone would just give away cast iron for stainless steel

I'm glad I snagged this pan before one of my cousins did, I use it every day now.

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She gave birth 18 times and raised 13 children to adulthood. I can't even begin to imagine what it was like to feed that crowd as a tiny (like about 5 feet) woman hauling big heavy cast iron around using a wood burning stove for most of my dad's childhood. It must have been like heaven to finally be able to afford lighter, easier to maintain cookware when it became affordable.

I kinda get it. Not getting any younger myself and some of my larger lodge dutch ovens are getting more and more difficult for me to manage. Since I only have one child I'll probably start getting rid of some of my heavier cookware soon as well.