Wrought Iron Range Co

[Doug R. Hoffman]

In going thru my cast iron collections, which I have over the years segregated among my kitchen, pantry, RV, and tent camping boxes, I found this marked #10 skillet griddle in my tent camping gear. I  have used this for years because of its lighter weight, a benefit for hauling into remote access campsites. CICN ( Cast Iron Collectors News ) once again provided the resource for information on this piece. Interested in seeing other similar WIRCo pieces???

WIRCo Info per CICN Resource:
Location: St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri 
Founder: Henry Harrison Culver (1840-1897) 
Period of Production: 1881-1960 
Products Manufactured: Limited Line
WIRCO cookware, made and sold primarily as an accessory to its main product, cook stoves, was also cast from the more malleable iron used to good effect on its ranges. This unfortunately resulted in most WIRCO skillets becoming warped.
WIRCO Timeline
1864 - H.H. Culver and two of his brothers work as travelling salesmen marketing cook stoves to farmers. 
1873 - Frequent complaints of breakage compel Culvers to leave the cast iron stove business. 
1874 - After several failed business ventures, the Culver borthers settle in St. Louis, MO. 
1881 - Culver brothers innnovation of using wrought iron instead of cast iron for stove manufacture leads them to establish Wrought Iron Range Co.
1881 - H.H. Culver suffers debilitating stroke, and retires in 1883. 
1930s - WIRCO's Home Comfort line of wood and coal-fired ranges enjoys popularity on up through the 1930s. 
1960 - Company sold to Universal Match Co.

[Cheryl Watson]

Hi Doug... This one looks like a stamped steel item? 

This is one Foundry that will be receiving a huge, MAJOR update on our Foundry List, so keep an eye open..:)  (It may be late fall or winter until I am able to do the coding.)  The history on WIRCO will be expanded hugely.  The Culver Family was 'interesting' to say the least! :)

Twists and turns, and intrigue, throughout their business dealings and 'other' companies too! ;)

[Brian Vick]

Hey Doug,

I'm over in Bandon welcome to the forum.
OB ;D

[Doug R. Hoffman]

Thanks for info, yes, rolled or stamped steel by all appearance,  I've had and used it for years without a 2nd thot, excerpt that it was in my camp outfit because of the weight consideration. Decided to look closer at stuff that I had after recently joining up with WAGS.

Thanks for the welcome Brian, wish I was on the coast and away from this continuing "heat", maybe coffee and CI conversation some day.