Determining the Age of “ERIE” Skillets

You have an antique cast-iron skillet marked “ERIE.” How do you determine its age?

I recently published the Roy Meadows article entitled”‘ERIE’ Skillets,” to the blog. This article is very useful for identifying and dating antique cast iron skillets marked “ERIE.”

The timing was good for me, as I recently acquired two antique Griswold skillets: an “ERIE” number 8 and an “ERIE” number 9. Aren’t they pretty?

To determine the time frame within which these skillets were manufactured, I need to determine the “series” of the pan. That will set the date of manufacture.

Factors Used to Determine the Series

The Meadows article sets out a comprehensive list of factors to consider when determining the series of the skillet marked “ERIE.” There are six different series of skillets.

As seen above, among the factors are:

• Presence or absence of quotation marks around the word “ERIE.”
• Presence or absence of a pattern number.
• Presence or absence of pattern maker’s marks (small designs, such as a flag or bullseye, on certain of the old ERIE skillets).
• Presence or absence of the abbreviation “No.” before the skillet number.
• Presence or absence of a reinforced lip (upper edge) on the skillet.
• The font used for the word “ERIE.”
• Whether the heat ring (a raised circular area on the bottom of the pan) is inset (away from the edge of the pan) or positioned on the outer edge.
• Factors shown by examination of the underside of the handle, including its “rib,” and how the handle is attached to the wall of the skillet.

What Series is my Number 8 Skillet?

I can immediately eliminate my number 8 skillet being a Series 1 or 2, as it has a pattern number: 704, followed by the letter G.¹

The number 8 skillet has an inset heat ring, as opposed to being at the outer edge of the bottom of the pan, so we know, per the chart, that it is a series 4, 5, or 6. We can immediately rule out series 4, as that series is quite distinctive with its “artistic” font, as opposed to the “block” font shown on the other pan series.

That leaves series 5 or 6 for my number 8 pan. As seen in the Meadows chart of characteristics, the defining difference is the lack or presence of quotation marks around the word “ERIE.” My number 8 pan has no quotation marks around the word “ERIE.” ².

My pan is a series 6 pan, made between 1905 and 1907. It is in fantastic condition!

What Series is my Number 9 Skillet?

As with my number 8 skillet, above, I can immediately eliminate it being a Series 1 or 2, as it has a pattern number: 711.

My skillet does not have the “artistic” lettering, so that rules out Series 4. The heat ring is located on the outside of the bottom of the pan (an “outset” heat ring) – as opposed to an inset one – so that rules out Series 5 and 6. Further ruling out Series 6 is the fact that the word “ERIE” has quotation marks – albeit faint – around it.

That leaves series 3. ³. As Meadows notes in his article, the series 3 is the most common “ERIE” skillet found, which of course, makes sense given that it had the most extended time period of manufacture. The Griswold Manufacturing Company manufactured it between 1892 and 1905.

Isn’t it amazing to think that this gorgeous pan is more than 120 years old? And I still use it in my kitchen. Wow.

1. The “G” was presumably used by Griswold to determine which specific pattern was used to make the skillet – workers were paid by piece. The presence or lack of a letter following the pattern number is, for our purposes, insignificant.
2. Given these definitive factors, I did not need to address the issues regarding the handle (rib, reinforcing pad) or the reinforcing lip at the top of the wall of the skillet
3. Given these definitive factors, I did not need to reach the issues regarding the handle (rib, reinforcing pad) or the reinforcing lip at the top of the wall of the skillet