I restored my husband's grandmother's old cast iron skillet last week. I wish I took a before picture, but to give you an idea, everything (except the inside bottom of the pan) was covered in crud. After restoring, i was able to reveal a number on the handle and underside of the pan! There's some serious pitting as well on the underside.
My husband's aunt claims the skillet is very old, but you know how family lore can be exaggerated. We know for sure it belonged to his grandmother since at least the early 1960's.
The bottom is smooth, other than the pitting there is the number 2 at about the 5:30 position. No other markings or text.
There is a #7 on the top of the handle. The skillet is right at 9 3/4" in diameter.
Any ideas on the maker and approximate age?