Uncovering The Secrets Of Vintage Cast Aluminum Pans: Locating Those Elusive Serial Numbers

Vintage cast iron pans can be identified by their serial numbers, which are usually found on the top of the handle or the bottom of the pan. These serial numbers often include a combination of letters and numbers, which can indicate the size, pattern, and manufacturer of the pan. Sometimes, the serial numbers are accompanied by logos or trademarks that can provide additional information about the pan's origin and age.

Different manufacturers used distinct serial number systems, so it is important to familiarise yourself with the conventions of each brand. For example, Wagner pans typically have their serial numbers and letters written on the handle of the pan, while Griswold pans feature italicised four-digit codes on the back of the pan.

In addition to serial numbers, other distinguishing features of vintage cast iron pans include the shape and design of the handle, the presence and style of heat rings, and the number and placement of pour spouts.

Serial numbers on vintage cast iron pans can indicate the outer or inner diameter, year and place of manufacture, or the pan model

Serial numbers on vintage cast iron pans can indicate a variety of things, including the outer or inner diameter, year and place of manufacture, or the pan model.

The large numeral found on the top of the handle or on the bottom of a vintage cast iron pan is often assumed to indicate its diameter in inches. However, measuring the top and bottom rims of the pan will reveal that the number does not directly correlate to either dimension. These numbers were actually used to indicate the size of the openings, or "stove eyes", in wood-burning stoves, with pans being produced to conform to these sizes.

Some serial numbers on vintage cast iron pans can indicate the outer or inner diameter of the pan. For example, Lodge Manufacturing Co. skillets from the early 1900s to the early 1930s feature a raised size number on the top of the handle, indicating the pan's diameter.

Serial numbers can also indicate the year and place of manufacture. For instance, unmarked skillets produced by Birmingham Stove & Range Co. in the 1930s-1940s feature a 3/4" high size number, typically followed by a pattern letter, at the 6 o'clock position. These skillets were likely labelled as "Red Mountain".

Additionally, serial numbers can indicate the pan model. Wagner Manufacturing Co. skillets feature a size number incised on the top of the handle, with a descriptive size at the 6 o'clock position, such as "6½ INCH SKILLET". Griswold Manufacturing Co. skillets from the 1930s-early 1940s, also known as the "Iron Mountain" series, feature italicized numerals on the bottom of the pans and underside of the lids, with a 1/2" high size number at the 12 o'clock position and a four-digit pattern number at the 6 o'clock position.

Serial numbers on the handle of vintage cast iron pans can indicate the pan size

Cast iron pans were originally produced to fit the openings, or "stove eyes", of wood-burning stoves. The size of these pans was maintained even after the switch to gas-fired ranges and electric stoves. As a result, the size number on a vintage cast iron pan does not necessarily correspond to its dimensions.

Different manufacturers used different size designations for their pans. For example, a #3 pan from Wagner Manufacturing Co. has a bottom diameter of 5-1/2", while a #3 pan from Griswold Mfg. Co. is slightly smaller. Some manufacturers even made their pans slightly larger than their competitors so they could advertise them as being bigger.

In addition to size numbers, vintage cast iron pans may also have pattern letters or other markings that indicate the model, type, or manufacturing details of the pan. These markings can be found on the handle, the bottom of the pan, or both.

It is important to note that not all vintage cast iron pans have markings, and identifying the maker and age of these pans can be challenging. The lack of markings may be due to the pan being sold directly to stores without the manufacturer's label.

Serial numbers on the bottom of the pan can indicate the pan's cooking surface

The size number on the bottom of vintage cast iron pans does not indicate the diameter of the pan. Instead, these numbers refer to the size of the pan's cooking surface, which was designed to fit the openings in wood-burning stoves known as "stove eyes".

Wood-burning stoves had heavy covers that needed to be removed with a special, heat-resistant handle. To prevent heat loss, early cast iron pans were designed with heat rings—rims protruding from the bottom circumference of the pans—that served as a "seal" between the pan and the stove eye. These heat rings also added stability for less-than-perfectly flat pan bottoms and helped to reduce hot spots.

The size of stove eyes varied depending on the brand of the stove. Pans were produced in sizes that conformed to these stove eyes. For example, a 1924 Wagner Manufacturing Co. catalog lists the following as the bottom diameters of their regular cast iron skillets:

• #2 - 4-7/8"
• #3 - 5-1/2"
• #4 - 5-7/8"
• #5 - 6-3/4"
• #6 - 7-1/2"
• #7 - 8-1/4"
• #8 - 8-7/8"
• #9 - 9-3/4"
• #10 - 10-1/4"
• #11 - 10-7/8"
• #12 - 11-3/4"
• #13 - 12"
• #14 - 13"

Even after the advent of gas-fired ranges and electric stoves, cast iron cookware continued to be manufactured in the sizes originally established for wood-burning stoves.

Serial numbers can be used to identify the maker of the pan

The first step in identifying the maker of a pan is to look for any brand names or logos. Common cast iron brands from the late 1800s and early 1900s include Griswold, Wagner, and Lodge, while Le Creuset started in the 1920s and Krampouz started in the mid-1900s. Modern-day Lodge pans have an egg logo, while older Lodge pans may simply have the word 'Lodge' written on them. Griswold pans were initially marked 'Erie', as the company was formed in Erie, Pennsylvania, but the logo later changed to Griswold and then Wagner Ware.

If there are no brand names or logos, the next step is to look for any letters or numbers. These may refer to the outer or inner diameter, the year and place of manufacture, or the pan model. Wagners have their number and letter written on the handle of the pan, while Griswold pans sometimes have italicized four-digit codes on the back. If there are no letters or numbers, the pan may have a gate mark, which is a distinctive, sometimes raised slash. Gate marks indicate that the pan is likely to be antique, almost guaranteed pre-1890.

Another feature to look for is the heat ring on the bottom of the pan. Pans with extruded heat rings were made by Griswold, while pans with recessed heating rings were made by Lodge. Lodge pans commonly used between one and three heating notches at the bottom, while Birmingham Stove & Range pans have triangular handles and extruding heat rings.

Finally, if all else fails, you can try searching for the pan online or posting photos to social media groups dedicated to cast iron identification.

Serial numbers can be used to identify the age of the pan

Serial numbers can be used to identify the age of a pan. For example, Griswold pans were initially marked 'Erie' because the company was formed in Erie, Pennsylvania, but the logo later changed to Griswold and later Wagner Ware. So, checking the logo can help identify the age of the pan.

Another way to identify the age of a pan is to look at the size number. A 1924 Wagner Manufacturing Co. catalog gives the following as the bottom diameters of their regular cast iron skillets:

• #2 - 4-7/8"
• #3 - 5-1/2"
• #4 - 5-7/8"
• #5 - 6-3/4"
• #6 - 7-1/2"
• #7 - 8-1/4"
• #8 - 8-7/8"
• #9 - 9-3/4"
• #10 - 10-1/4"
• #11 - 10-7/8"
• #12 - 11-3/4"
• #13 - 12"
• #14 - 13"

These exact dimensions, however, were not standard across all makers. A 1918 Griswold Mfg. Co. catalog lists roughly the same dimensions for its regular skillets, with the #3 and #4 being somewhat smaller than Wagner's, and the #13 and #14 somewhat wider.

Some manufacturers even went so far as to intentionally make their pans a fraction of an inch wider than those of their competitors, so they could advertise them as being larger.

In addition, some manufacturers used serial numbers to identify the age of the pan. For example, Wagner called theirs "catalog numbers". Typically appended by a letter, the catalog number then identified both the item or model and the unique working pattern.

To identify the age of a Wagner pan, look for the catalog number, which is typically appended by a letter. The catalog number then identified both the item or model and the unique working pattern. For example, a Wagner pan marked "1053C" is a regular skillet (105x), size #3 (xxx3), made from the pattern for it lettered "C".

Griswold pans sometimes have italicized 4-digit codes on the back of the pan. These are likely to be part of the Iron Mountain Collection.

Some pans may also have a gate mark, which will be a distinctive, sometimes raised slash that runs across the outer bottom of the pan. Gate marks won't tell you the brand of your pan, but they'll identify it as an antique. Gate-marked pans are almost guaranteed to be pre-1890.

Finally, the handle of the pan can also provide clues about its age. Older cast iron skillets have integrated handles that are part of the bowl with no screws or rivets. They also have a smooth finish, unlike modern cast iron, which may be grooved for silicone grips.

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