Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Today's find, at an estate sale, was a gently used Griswold skillet. Since I know next to nothing about these things, perhaps someone can tell me what the numbers etc. on the back mean. On the bottom of the skillet is:
NO. 8
*GRISWOLD LOGO*
ERIE, PA
704

The inside is smooth as silk, though it could probably use a reseasoning. I can almost smell the bacon frying now!

I posted this in another thread...

The "8" is the size. An explanation of the other numbers is below.

"As far as collectors are concerned, nothing is special about the letters that sometimes are cast with the pattern number on Griswold pieces and a few other makes. Cast iron pieces are made in a sand MOLD and that mold is made by packing special casting sand around a PATTERN. Each piece of iron has to have its own mold as the mold is a one-time-use thing which is destroyed in order to remove the piece cast in it. In order to make enough molds a foundry might have to have several or more patterns for popular, high production pieces. In this case each pattern has a different letter (plus, usually, one with no letter) on it after the pattern number which would be the same number for like items. It really doesn't make any difference to collectors which pattern was used to make a piece because they were all the same (but sometimes with very minor differences) except for the letter. One of Griswold's most prolific pieces is the No.8 block TM smooth bottom skillet. For these Steve Stephens, a long time collector, has identified all letters of the alphabet (plus no letter), except for the letters I, O, U and Q and some of these could still turn up. Pieces that were produced in low quantities may have only one pattern to make all the molds that were required. The preceeding deals mostly with Griswold pieces but may apply to other makes as well. Wagner called their numbers "catalog numbers" but, basically, they are pretty much the same as Griswold's pattern numbers."

FireLion wrote:The inside is smooth as silk, though it could probably use a reseasoning. I can almost smell the bacon frying now!

That's what I love about my old Griswold skillets. New cast iron is rough, but these oldies are nice and smooth.

Good find!

caseydog wrote:I posted this in another thread...

The "8" is the size. An explanation of the other numbers is below.

"As far as collectors are concerned, nothing is special about the letters that sometimes are cast with the pattern number on Griswold pieces and a few other makes. Cast iron pieces are made in a sand MOLD and that mold is made by packing special casting sand around a PATTERN. Each piece of iron has to have its own mold as the mold is a one-time-use thing which is destroyed in order to remove the piece cast in it. In order to make enough molds a foundry might have to have several or more patterns for popular, high production pieces. In this case each pattern has a different letter (plus, usually, one with no letter) on it after the pattern number which would be the same number for like items. It really doesn't make any difference to collectors which pattern was used to make a piece because they were all the same (but sometimes with very minor differences) except for the letter. One of Griswold's most prolific pieces is the No.8 block TM smooth bottom skillet. For these Steve Stephens, a long time collector, has identified all letters of the alphabet (plus no letter), except for the letters I, O, U and Q and some of these could still turn up. Pieces that were produced in low quantities may have only one pattern to make all the molds that were required. The preceeding deals mostly with Griswold pieces but may apply to other makes as well. Wagner called their numbers "catalog numbers" but, basically, they are pretty much the same as Griswold's pattern numbers."

Hey Caseydog, where'd you find that info? Maybe over at WAGS? I'm the one who wrote it and just discovered this site after attending my first (as a visitor) vintage trailer rally yesterday.

Yes, Griswold is great iron cookware and nearly the best you can get. They made so many different pieces and it's all numbered with pattern numbers (except for the very early Griswold prior to about 1892). You just can't even begin to compare what's made new today with old Griswold up to their end of production in Erie, PA at the end of 1957.

Firelion, your Griswold skillet dates from 1940-57 but, if I were to see the underside of the handle, I could get the dates down to within about 5 years of when it was made. Enjoy your pan!

Steve

Hi Steve. Welcome to the forum. We have a lot of Cast Iron junkies here, so it would be nice to have an expert on board.

I don't remember where I got that quoted text. I used Google to find it.

And yes, that old Griwold iron is way better than the modern iron. For one, it is smoother. That makes a big difference on the fry pans, IMO.

CD

Thanks CD. Not sure how much I'll be around here. A friend wants to end up with a teardrop or small vintage trailer so we went to see some yesterday. Now, being the curious person I am, am looking for trailer info for him and found this forum. I'll check in from time to time and see if anyone needs help on old iron. I know very little about the new stuff. Even Griswold can be a bit new for me as I love my 19th century stovetop skillets and cook with them regularly. I've got a pile of them to sell but, being unmarked for the most part, how does one describe each one so a buyer knows what he's buying? I think I'll have to post some pics on my Photobucket album first.

Oh yes, the trailers were very interesting to look over yesterday. I actually would love to have one but too many interests taking my time already.

Steve