Unknown Maker Double Handle Fry pan

[Dan Hutchinson]

Hi everyone, my name is Dan and I am just starting getting into to collecting cast iron.  Mostly I have been looking for Griswold or Wagner but the other day at the local estate auction I came across a cast iron skillet that the auctioneer called a fish fry pan with two handles it has no markings on it. It is 16in x 12in.x 3in.  I have looked around the internet and haven't had any luck finding any information.  Does anyone know a brand or any information?  Thanks

[Mark Zizzi]

Never seen anything quite like it, Dan. Would make a great pan for bacon tho! I like it.  ;)

[Roger Barfield]

Are you for sure that is cast iron?  The ones I've seen were always aluminum.  A magnet will tell you quick which one it is.  The magnet will stick to cast iron.  If it is iron it's going to be valued more than aluminum.  No idea who made them though or when. 

[Dan Hutchinson]

Did a magnet test this morning and the magnet stuck to the pan.  Thanks for your help

[C. Perry Rapier]

Hello Dan. Thanks for posting about this piece. It's very interesting. I have seen pieces with two handles before but not like this. Did you buy the piece? Thanks again Dan. :)

[Dan Hutchinson]

yea i bought it, paid 40 for it.

[Keith Rumgay]

Dan I say you made a Good buy on a Nice 2 handle skillet that is Different. I would have bought it too. 

[Jim Glatthaar]

Dan, congratulations on a rather unorthadox way to begin a collection.  Interesting that it is square, has two handles but is for right-handers! 8-) .  And, by the way, I have absolutely no idea who made it or when.

[Roger Muse]

It is interesting that the handles appear to have two different shapes to the openings.

One on the right looks more pointed at the end closest to the pan, and the other looks more rounded.

[Gary Salsman]

Sydney Hollow wear had similar ribbed handles, but I think they marked most items. The difference in the handle could have been caused by not enough molten iron poured in the mold.

[Ken Davis]

I'd have given $40 for it in a hot minute! Sooo many uses ...

Nicely done.

[Jeff Friend]

Here is a 3-handled variation.  Never seen someone with three hands, but I guess there are enough of those folks out there to justify making this piece.  The bottom is marked Aluwa, Rome Industries, Peoria, Illinois, USA.

[Jim Glatthaar]

I can't understand what would possess someone to make a 3 handled skillet.  I think evolution is a long way from developing the third hand.

[Roger Muse]

I can't understand what would possess someone to make a 3 handled skillet.  I think evolution is a long way from developing the third hand.

If you look closely, this is a two handled rectangular skillet, with a one handled lid.  Or it is a one handled rectangular skillet with a two handled lid.   ::)

[Jeff Friend]

Roger, you are correct.  My mistake.  This piece has a lid.

[Mark Zizzi]

By the spouts I'd say it looks like a 1 handled skillet with a 2 handled lid. Weird.

[Roger Muse]

By the spouts I'd say it looks like a 1 handled skillet with a 2 handled lid. Weird.

Not so sure about that.  The regular lid on my Griswold #8 skillet had spouts that extend beyond the edge of the skillet.  If looked at upside down, the edge of the lid would be visible around the edge of the skillet.

[Mark Zizzi]

Yes, but Jeff said that was how the bottom is marked. Looks like only the center handle comes from the bottom to me. Or is that a pic of the top of the lid? :-?

[Dwayne Henson]

The one I saw, I think the lid has the one handle.

[Valerie Johnson]

It is interesting that the handles appear to have two different shapes to the openings.

One on the right looks more pointed at the end closest to the pan, and the other looks more rounded.

Not only that the one with the larger opening also seems to be wider at the point where it attaches to the pan, It looks almost as if they used 2 different handles for the casting