Picked this pan up at an estate sale this morning. It has a fire ring with out any notches and a gate mark bottom. The handle is has some design to it and a 7 on it. Couldnt pass it up for $8.50.

not much info on those , the gate mark bottom typically puts if pre 1891

I found an example with that marking on the handle but even the guy with the video didn't identify it farther than 19th century

maybe someone else will have more info

I think that may be an early made, no notch, Lodge number 7.

Keith

Thanks guys, I was pretty sure the gate mark put it 1900 or earlier. Have to get it cleaned up and seasoned. The cooking surface looks like it will clean up nice and smooth.

I've seen similar reffered to as Unkown Southern Skillets.

I have a griddled that has the same type handle and a gate mark on the bottom. It is a number 9. I have never seen anyone identify CI with that type handle.

here is a pic of what I think is your pan 2nd one down in the stack , the issue is no one seems to know the maker on these

https://www.reddit.com/r/castiron/c...te_old_gatemarked_skillets_the/#lightbox

here is one to look at

HF co
https://blogger.googleusercontent.c...pSVziNKcZHOWY9sKiWqL3/s1600/CIMG0482.JPG

the structure of the handle is the same , this could be the fancy version of your plane version , yours has very similar shape

since this is a cast iron thread. Is there anyone on here good at seasoning cast iron. I have done 2 coats in the oven 1 at 450 for an hour and 1 at 500 for an hour, but for some reason my cast iron looks very weird

Highland foundry was known for gate marked fancy handle skillets

https://www.castironcollector.com/forum/threads/help-skillet-identity-please.8094/

check out this pic

zacy can you post pic.

It ain't rocket science! Just use it.

picutures would be good

I do the grill around 375-425 15-20 minutes at a time
if you stripped , it takes 4+ coats to start looking black

it is ok if it is just darker with your first few coats

mostly just keep wiping it down with oil and cooking with it that is the most useful way to get a good season

Heat pan up for one minute on the stove top...on low...then remove from heat

Then put a 1/2 teaspoon of crisco in the pan....then spread it around with a paper towel.

Then take a clean paper towel and wipe all the crisco out.

Then take another paper towel and wipe it out again

Then take another clean and wipe it out again.

Then take another clean paper towel and wipe it like it's the hood of your 67 GTO

You picking up...what iam putting down ??????

You want that pan free and clear of nothing but 1mil of a coating of crisco.

Then stick the pan in the oven..upside down...then put a cookie sheet on the rack

Directly under the pan ...should be a 2 inch gap ...between pan and cookie sheet

Then turn your oven on to 450...set timer for one hour.

After pan cooks in the oven for one hour ..turn oven off...BUT DO NOT OPEN OVEN for at least 3 hours.

Then repeat this whole process 3 more times

I just use the wood stove top for oil changes.

Thank you, thats more than I had turned up so far online.

listen to nessie, whatever grease, oil you use, wipe it almost dry then heat, and repeat...
Lard works good too, or high smoke temp oils...

Yup, it is the exact same chemical process of polymerization as the oil finish applied to gunstocks or fine furniture. Build it up from several THIN coats rather than a puddle of oil that never fully dries. And it won't acheive that all over black slick look until the many coats covers the high/low porous spots.

On some pieces I've even had to borrow the woodworkers light sanding between coats by lightly scouring with a mild scouring pad between coats.

Making it waaaay too hard.

Run that sucker through the dishwasher, once it dries, hit er with a rattlecan. Gloss Black Hi Temp. Done.

When I clean cast iron down to bare metal I heat it on the stove top after a thorough cleaning and wipe all surfaces down with whatever oil I have handy, usually olive oil. Then I cook with it. It might take longer than all the other methods but eventually it turns a nice shiny black. I do heat and re-oil the first couple of times I use it.