Posted 14 years ago
lawat56
(28 items)
NEED HELP ON ID ON THE HUGE CAST IRON SKILLET IT IS A #16 AND HAS NO MARKS ON THE BOTTOM IT , HAS A HEAT RING AND THAT'S ALL I KNOW YOU COULD THREE CHICKENS AT ONCE IN IT ,IT'S BIG ANY HELP ON ID AND VALUE ,THANKS LAWAT56
Wow, that thing must weigh 30 lbs, I have never seen or heard of a pan that big. You can rule out Griswold and Wagner as makers, they never made anything this big. It must have been made special for Chuck Wagon or Lumber Camp use.
I just bought a #12 iron skillet at Goodwill for$15.00, and it is hugh. Yours must be really big. If I was going to sell it, which I'm not. I would probably ask around $35.00 for it,and take $30.00
THANKS GUYS FOR YOUR INPUT ,I REALLY LIKE THIS SKILLET BECAUSE IT IS SO BIG AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE THIS BIG BEFORE MYSELF , I LIKE OLD CAST IRON STUFF I WILL JUST HANG IT UP IN MY SHED WITH THE OTHER OLD SKILLETS I GOT OUT THERE ,I BUILT ME A SHED A FEW YEARS BACK AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE LOOK LIKE A OLD COUNTRY STORE , I GOT A LONG WAY TO GO BUT MAYBE ONE OF THESE DAYS.I HAVE A COUPLE OG OLD SKILLETS THAT HAVE LEGS ON THEM AND I GUESS THAT WHERE WHAT I CALL A SPIDER SKILLET,THEY ARE REALLY OLD ONE FOR SURE BUT REALLY COOL LOOKING TOO. THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT GUYS
I love cast iron. Were the one with legs used for camp fires?
did you ever find out anything about this skillet? I have one just like it and was hunting for information.
The skillet that you own is a keeper, regardless of its condition-- that is if you are a buff of American history. It was produced for the Union army during the American Civil War era. The manufacturer, who purposely did not identify itself on the skillet, did so to avoid geographical allegiance to the north. In doing so, the company also was able and successful in supplying the CSA army with some of the same unidentified skillets, except for the size nomenclature on the handle. The DOD has no records of the manufacturer's name, but some think it may have been produced in Philadelphia, PA. All we know is it is a civil war era skillet and its size. Whether yours is a Union or CSA skillet cannot be determined, unless of course it came with an authentic hand-signed letter of authentication signed by either Grant or Lee. Otherwise it is simply referred to as a "16 skillet" from the American Civil War era. Enjoy.
Just for some input so that it's on record, Wagner DOES/Did make a 16" skillet, might have been 16.5", it was a chef special that actually had another one the same size that also doubled for a lid or another skillet. You can see on this one too that the edge does have a rim, it's well worn, but I see it. I recently sold one and I know we aren't supposed to really value items, but I have to say, I sold mine for $550.00 and that was just the bottom. the top sold for 250.00.
Yeah, four years have passed, but what still nags me is the lack of a molten metal entry point, specifically a sprue, which was the method used in the 18th century until being replaced by gates. This skillet appears to have neither. While this is not the sole means for dating unmarked cast iron cookware it is generally reliable.
Irrespective, it is a very interesting piece and a definitive history would surely be worth knowing.
Is this a #16 Eddyville Prison Skillet?
Couldn't tell by the picture if it was gate marked, often the unknown skillets are impossible to identify hence the name given as mystery skillets. Probably 1800's or early 1900's if I were guessing. Still looking for a larger skillet to add to my collection, from what I've seen as far as value the bigger the more valuable. Although marked pieces are generally more sought after.
The Skillet is not gate marked. The most likely identification is that it dates to mid 20th century, no later than the 1940s. There was a foundry at the Kentucky State Penitentiary at Eddyville which was destroyed by fire in the 1940s. A former warden recently confirmed the existence and razing of the foundry, but could not confirm that cast iron cookware was produced there. One such Skillet with the stylized "16" sold on eBay or $599 + shipping. One is currently available at auction (10/5/21) with a starting price of $375. Another will appear soon at $525 or Make Offer.
The Skillets are well made, but not finished as a commercial maker would have done. It is best described as "basic" with casting flaws on the outer surface and inner walls, but with a fully functional cooking surface. They are a remarkable, 18+ pound pieces of Americana and something any serious collector would treasure.
All sort if wrong info posted here. Not CW. Sprue is a channel not a gatemark (learn a little bit about casting). Nothing definitive about an Eddyville link other than hearsay. I saw an image similar in a catalogue from a Tennessee Foundry but remember this most of all.
Unmarked is "UNKNOWN" and thats all there is to it.