Again I ask.. unmarked square skillet

[Tom_Deschenes]

Any ideas on this one, it han no markings at all, around 10-1/4" outside to outside at the widest part, 1/1/2" deep and weighs 4 1/2 lbs. There is a small #2 near the handle hole on the bottom of the handle.

Thanks

[Charlee]

It has the "V handle" all the way to the body of the skillet...  BS&R...

[Will Person]

It has the "V handle" all the way to the body of the skillet...  BS&R...

Ditto.

[Roger Barfield]

made by Birmingham Stove and Range

[Sam Roberts]

In Alabama.. ;)

[Tom_Deschenes]

thanks. Did BS&R have a large piece of the market?

[Tom Neitzel]

Just wanted to double check the identification (just for my own clarification).  While the v-shaped handle is very distinctive for BS&R - it seems to me that most of their pieces have other markings too, like a size or made in USA or catalog number.

I've developed kind of a rough rule of thumb when I find a single numeral like shown here on the underside of the handle without any other markings.  The assumption is that it is a relatively new (like within the past 10-15 years) off-shore copy.

Now I do see this number (1 or 2) on the bottom of their skiver pan, but it also says "Made In USA".

Is this really a BS&R product?

Tom

[Dwayne Henson]

Tom is correct that usually BS&R items are marked, as least the newer ones. I do have 2 BS&R chef skillets one marked 10 CHEF and the other unmarked. I think that this is a  BS&R item, that  happens to be unmarked, but maybe Tom P has a marked one to compare too. I don't.

As far as a piece of the market BS&R was a large producer. The first to go to DESI machines, (automated molding machines) and this gave them more capacity than any other cook ware foundry in the US. They had so much capacity that GHC who owned Griswold and Wagner, at one time contacted BS&R to produce their cookware for them. This deal was not completed, and GHC ende up getting their own molding machines. it is hard to go to any flea market in the south and not see a BS&R item, they made that much cast iron.

Now before any one else says it, the newer automated molded items were clunky and heavy, but remember their main goal was to bring the price per unit as low as possible, to compete with cheap imports. Their older items are nicely cast.

[Tom_Deschenes]

thanks for the info.

[Tom Penkava]

I think Dwayne is correct on this one.  Some BSR did make it out the door that was either unmarked and/or partly marked.  I have 2 of these, one only has the "made in USA" and the other is fully marked.

 :( Looks like I need to make some new photos. :-X

[Tom Penkava]

Partly Marked

[Tom Neitzel]

Thanks Dwayne and Tom.  Good info for me.  I asked because it seemed strange to not have at least the Made In USA on it.  I think BS&R was proud to be an American foundry and it would allow the product to be exported (larger market for them).

Tom

[Tom Penkava]

Thanks Dwayne and Tom.  Good info for me.  I asked because it seemed strange to not have at least the Made In USA on it.  I think BS&R was proud to be an American foundry and it would allow the product to be exported (larger market for them).

Tom

I just looked at a pic with a label, the "made in usa" is on the label so they may not have gotten it on all their molds at the same time.  Figures that they or anyone would not shut down production just to add some markings, but as molds wore out new ones would have the additional additions.  Just a thought !!

[Tom_Deschenes]

Tom, what is the number on the handle of the partly marked one, boy mine does look like those.

[Tom Penkava]

Tom, what is the number on the handle of the partly marked one, boy mine does look like those.

It has a small 2 on the under side of the handle, close to the eye.
( I need to spend more time in my garage, these pans been breeding and I now have 3 square ones.  Two are fully marked , but the markings at the 6 ockock position are slighty different.  One is what is normally seen and the other has the markings in boxes. )  Both fully marked ones have a small 1 on under side of handle, close to the eye.

[Tom_Deschenes]

Tom, what is the number on the handle of the partly marked one, boy mine does look like those.

It has a small 2 on the under side of the handle, close to the eye.
 

Mine too.. it was a rusty pan at a flea market for 2.00. For 2.00 I figured what the heck, I could take it camping.

[Duke Gilleland]

Ditto on the "Lots of BS & R. I can take you to one of these square skillets next weekend...

[Tom Neitzel]

Thanks Dwayne and Tom.  Good info for me.  I asked because it seemed strange to not have at least the Made In USA on it.  I think BS&R was proud to be an American foundry and it would allow the product to be exported (larger market for them).

Tom

I just looked at a pic with a label, the "made in usa" is on the label so they may not have gotten it on all their molds at the same time.  Figures that they or anyone would not shut down production just to add some markings, but as molds wore out new ones would have the additional additions.  Just a thought !!

The replacement of the Made In USA marking on the pan with a paper label makes sense to me as a cost saving - you don't have to spend the money to make the letters on the master pattern - a few pennies here and there.