A thanks to Steve Stephens & fellow forumites

[Ken_j]

As I am new here I first posted questions of the current Wagner foundry. Steve got me started in the right direction to purchase pre 1958 cast iron. He reccomended the blue book. Well I borrowed a blue book through an interloan at my public library. Then I started bidding on ebay. Today I received the following four items. As best as I can tell from the BB they are all form 1944 to 1957.
1. #3 Griswold skillet, small logo, ERIE PA., Pattern #709 H, late handle
2. #5 Griswold skillet, small logo, ERIE PA., Pattern #724 L, grooved handle
3. #8 Griswold skillet, small logo, ERIE PA., Pattern  #704 R, late handle
4. #8 Griswold cast iron self basting cover , small logo, ERIE PA., Pattern #1098 C

Because of the advice from Steve and the ability to read posts of other forum members I gained some knowledge in order to make some purchases. As I am not a collecter but someone who wants to cook. I for thankful for the combined knowledge of those who post here. As these pans need some clean up and reseasoning I am happy to find this invaluable info here also. Thanks everyone.

As I looked through the BB I also found a page  (153) on Griswold Combination Meat and Food Choppers. I have one in the basement that inherited a number of years ago. So upon inspection it is a Griswold. According to the measurements it is closest to a #3, although the handle is longer than the spec in the book. It is cast with "No 1112" on one side and "GRISWOLD" on the other with a logo approx 1.25" to 1.50" in diameter above that. The handle is longer with an effective length (center of crank to center of shaft) of 8.25" and an overall lenght of 9". It is cast with "L.F&C. NEW BRITAIN, CONN.U.S.A." on one side and a number of patent numbers for various countries on the other. Any info that could be added is appreciated.

[Will Person]

Ken,


Sounds like you are getting some quality pans.   Glad Steve and everyone else can help.


On your meat grinder.   The body is Griswold.   But someone put a  Universal brand crank on it.   Griswold made many different meat grinders.   Not highly collected.   But they work.

Will P.

[moosejaw]

Steve is our resident cast iron encyclopedia.  Whatever would we do without him.  Ask him all the questions you want......keeps him out of trouble.   ;D

[Steve_Stephens]

Steve is our resident cast iron encyclopedia.  Whatever would we do without him.  Ask him all the questions you want......keeps him out of trouble.   ;D

Without me it's obvious that WAGS would fold, members would decide to sell their iron at a nickel on the dollar (Troy; I'm waiting for your camp ovens and several of you guys can start packing your SS skillets) and the whole hobby of collecting iron cookware would drither away.  But I think I will stay around for a while to share with others.  Thanks for the kind words Ken and Marty.  I am continually learning more by checking over the books, catalogs and my old notes in looking for answers for others.  My only regret is not having my old collection for reference purposes but I really don't want it again; just to be able to look or photograph the pieces if I would want to would be nice.

Steve

[Duke Gilleland]

In my VERY SHORT time of chasing c/i, I have already found  a phone call to the "west coast" to be very helpful when needing an opinion or answer [smiley=appl.gif]!
The same [smiley=appl.gif] goes for ALL of you folks here and your patience with the "beginners" sometimes oddball inquiries [smiley=hysterical.gif]  [smiley=scratchhead.gif]

[Greg Stahl]

I can say it is not the result of one person that makes this site great.  As you can see, it is the result of all and I mean ALL of you that this site is so popular.  These graphics tell the story about how much this site has grown.




And January is NOT even over yet!!

[Greg Stahl]

looks like January 2005 will go down in the books as the most activity on the FORUM since it started!!  Also over 20,000 posts on the FORUM and we delete the old ones that don't contain info, so there are a lot of post on here that contain important info for the cast iron collector!!  WTG guys/gals!!

[Roger Barfield]

Also over 20,000 posts on the FORUM and we delete the old ones that don't contain info, so there are a lot of post on here that contain important info for the cast iron collector!!  WTG guys/gals!!

Maybe we should do a greatest hits(posts) CD each year when you clean off the old ones, so we could have a handy reference.  [smiley=idea.gif]

[Greg Stahl]

I would love to create an archive so that we could clean it off and start anew each year.  Just haven't taken the time to figure out how to do that yet.

[Troy_Hockensmith]

STeve,
You'll be waiting for a long time for my camp ovens. BTW I'm still waiting for that #8 of yours. LOL.
I agree with your comments on a huge collection. They are noce for reference but man they take up some room and if you display them they are a dusting nightmare. I've gotten to where I'm not jumping on everything but just buying the pieces I like. Man I got a garage full of stuff that will keep me busy for years cleaning it. My advice to anyone getting into it is be conservative on the common pieces.

[moosejaw]

Troy, you make an excellent point.  I think when we all get started, we are like kids in a candy store with Ebay.  There are a few pieces I wish I hadn't bought.  But at that time ignorance was bliss.  Now I am more selective.