maker? ANy ideas?

[Greg Stahl]

Porcleain inside, black cast iron out.  PIx of a "lizard/gator", number one, as well as the written on the inside "GREAT AUNT"S  SALAD PATCH"

Vollrath?

[Steve_Stephens]

Greg,
I don't know about your pot or its mark.  Is there a gate on the bottom of the pot?  The porcelain looks like it may have been applied MANY years after the pot was made.  It's so white with no crazing that I see.  Interesting piece the like of which I have never seen.  Is the pot painted with black paint or is it galvanized under the black?  Can't tell but the surface looks different.  Is it iron (magnet sticks?).
Steve

[Jerry Cermack]

It may be a coincidence but that same...or similar alligator logo is on some new pots and chuck wagon ovens I see here at flea markets.  Cant remember the whole name with the alligator but its sumthing like Bayou XXXXX.(bayou buddy maybe?)  ....They  make a pot that is shaped like a scotch bowl but is huge with a chuck wagon style lid....I'd guess maybe 12-14" in dia. and probably at least 8" or more deep....takes 2 men and a troop of boy scouts to pick it up  :D :D :D

[Greg Stahl]

I'm working on getting answers, as this is from a seller that I bought a Savory from.

This pot weighs exactly 6 lbs and is cast iron.

[Greg Stahl]

more from the seller:

Magnet does stick to the pot, no marks other than the gator and # 1. No crazing of the thin layer of porcelain, just minor pitting. I don't know if the pot is painted black or galvanized, I don't know how to go about telling the difference. The handle appears to be painted, see how it shows some chipping to it where it attaches to the pot? The sides of the pot are shiny but the bottom is dull from where it sits but it doesn't look like the handle with chipping.

Bottom doesn't show a gate mark.  APpears to be painted to me.

[Troy_Hockensmith]

Those ears are characteristic of very early kettles and pots. Many of the older pieces didn't have bails and there was a tool called a pot hook that was basically two pieces of rod iron with hooks on one end and flattened out on the other and connected with a rivet to form a hing. The ears on the pots were vertical to assist in using the hook. When hearth cooking went to the wayside bails became the preferred method of lifting and the ears changed styles. Those type of ears are typical on much older holloware that usally has a gate mark. This one is a mystery to me. Couldn't even date it. Too many inconsistancies.  

[Greg Stahl]

Carrie, the owner just registered on the site, so perhaps she can fill us in with some more.  It is 4.5 inches deep and 8 inches across.  I agree about the ears, but the absence of the gate mark is the real strange thing missing on this one.  Cool looking regardless.

[cmedic323]

 Being new to Cast Iron I was wondering if maybe since the pot has no legs, would the gate mark that should be on the bottom have rubbed off by chance? Is that possible? The bottom shows wear and is not as shiny as the sides.

[Steve_Stephens]

Carrie, welcome to our site.  Can you post a photo of the bottom of the pot?
Thanks,
Steve

[cmedic323]

I hope this helps. I have looked every where for info. on this and turned up nothing as of yet.

[Greg Stahl]

It difficult to see if a gate is present.  you'll need to remove the paint to see for sure.  Be careful not to get lye on the porcelein ,as it appears to be in really good shape.

[Steve_Stephens]

You did say no legs which seems strange for an old pot.  Could be your pot was newer made for some special purpose and not for cooking but for hanging.  That would be my guess but have no idea of who made the pot.
Steve