Harry, the first series is mostly devoid of the reinforcing pad. Also, the first series has pouring lips that are different in most sizes than used in later years. Take a look at the very rounded and deep lips on the No.10 first series ERIE skillets. They are REALLY different and quite similiar to the OP&Co. skillets (no reinforcing pads on the OP pans which also have the "scooped" handle). Series 1 No.7 ERIE skillets are the early ones with no pad and the pan's diameter is about 3/8"(or something close to that) less than later ERIE and Griswold skillets. This was before there was a No.6 ERIE (second series was the first 6). After the 6 came out Griswold increased the diameter of the 7 for some reason. I guess it's like collecting and learning about a lot of things; when you only have or see a few of the different variations it's hard to tell much but, when you have or have seen all the variations, you can start to put together some sense of the big picture. I've seen them all (most likely), but have not had them all, regarding the ERIE skillets.
Back to those series 1 ERIE's. Take good notice of the pouring lips both from the shape, where they blend into the skillet wall, and anything else you can see and compare to series 2 ERIE's with no p/n and with the reinforcing pads and you will start to see some definite differences. Oh, I forgot to say that a few series 1 skillets do have reinforcing pads but they are different in shape to the common and pretty one. They come in a half round shape (red book p. 131 center, right photo) as well as what John Madole and I have termed "anthill" and "volcano" shapes. These latter two shapes may also be on some series 2 skillets. I say that series 1 are all the scooped handle while the series 2 are all of the later style handle that is not "scooped out". Until we get somje photos of all the variations it will remain hard to talk about them all and for all to understand.
Steve
