Wagner Sidney No. 7 Cast Iron Skillet (Arc Logo Era)
Arc Logo Era | Heat Ring | Smooth Interior | SSC Museum Restoration

Overview: A Transitional Piece in Wagner’s Early Evolution
The No. 7 Wagner cast iron skillet featuring the early arc-style “WAGNER” / “SIDNEY” logo is a significant piece from Wagner’s formative years. Likely produced between 1895 and 1915, this pan represents a transitional design period — before the introduction of pattern numbers or the fully stylized Wagner Ware branding. Its heat ring, smooth surface, and faint logo stamping all reflect Wagner's early casting practices, when hollowware was still in its evolutionary phase.

This skillet’s unmarked bottom (except for the arc logo, a small “7”, and a mold letter) further supports its age and historical role in establishing Wagner as a leader in cast iron innovation. It remains an excellent reference piece for collectors seeking early American skillet forms.

Wagner Manufacturing in the Arc Era
The Wagner brothers began producing cookware in Sidney, Ohio in the early 1890s. Their earliest pans were cast without pattern numbers and featured a gently arced logo on the base. These pieces often had slightly thicker walls, a pronounced heat ring for wood stove stability, and a minimal finish — though smoother than many competitors of the time.

The arc logo was used until the early 1920s, when it was gradually replaced by the stylized “Wagner Ware” brand mark. During this period, Wagner honed its casting and machining processes, helping to define the American standard for high-quality cookware.

Specifications & Design Features

  • Size: No. 7

  • Top Rim Diameter (no spouts): ~9 1/2"

  • Cooking Surface: ~8"

  • Depth: ~2"

  • Length (handle to rim): ~15 1/2"

  • Weight: ~3.5 lbs

  • Logo: Arc “WAGNER” / “SIDNEY” / “O”

  • Other Markings: Raised “7” on bottom, mold letter “A”

  • Features: Heat ring, dual pour spouts, flat base, smooth cooking surface

Why This Skillet Matters to Collectors
Collectors value early Wagner skillets for their pre-branding history and distinctive visual cues. The No. 7 arc-logo skillet in particular is:

  • A clean example of early 20th century casting

  • Free of pattern number — denoting pre-1915 production

  • Equipped with a large, stable heat ring

  • Part of the rare “arc logo” identification group

These features make it highly desirable for serious Wagner historians and collectors building a full size run from this early period.

SSC Museum Restoration & Condition
This example was restored using the Steve’s Seasoned Classics (SSC) Museum Process:

  • Chemically stripped and degreased

  • Fully re-seasoned using archival-grade polymerized oil

  • Confirmed for flatness, no cracks, intact spouts

  • Surface retains historical casting marks and finish clarity

Condition Certification
✅ No cracks or chips
✅ Sits flat with no wobble
✅ Logo and markings legible
✅ Seasoned and stabilized to museum archival standard

Use & Display Applications

  • Historical demo pan for wood stove cooking

  • Display in timeline of Wagner logo and branding history

  • Heirloom kitchenware for everyday use

  • Educational piece for identifying arc-era production

Care & Use Best Practices

  • Always preheat gradually

  • Avoid soaking or dishwashers

  • Clean with warm water and soft brush

  • Re-oil lightly after each use

  • Display in a dry environment if not in use

References

  • Wagner and Griswold Society Journal, Vol. 18, 2025

  • Cast Iron Collector (2025). “Wagner Arc Logo Timeline.”

  • Internal SSC Archive Entry: SSC-WAG-SKL-07-ARC-A

A black cast iron skillet with a long handle resting on a wooden surface.
A black cast iron skillet with a handle, placed on a wooden surface.