How To Date A Griswold Skillet
Complete Collector's Guide
Steve's Seasoned Classics | Library → How To Date A Griswold Skillet | June 2026
Dating a Griswold skillet requires reading four physical markers together — the logo, the bottom configuration, the pattern number, and the heat ring or smooth bottom. No single marker is definitive. Together they tell the complete story.
This guide presents the SSC methodology for dating Griswold cast iron, developed through primary source research and hands-on documentation of the SSC Museum Collection. Griswold Manufacturing Company operated in Erie, Pennsylvania from 1865 through 1957 — a production run of nearly a century that produced some of the most documented and collected cast iron in American history.
Section 1 — The Four Dating Markers
Griswold skillets carry physical evidence of their manufacture on every surface. Learning to read these four markers in combination is the foundation of accurate dating.
1. The Logo
The mark cast into the top of the skillet — Griswold's foundry signature. The Griswold logo evolved through numerous distinct phases between 1865 and 1957. Logo evolution is the primary dating tool for Griswold iron.
2. The Bottom Configuration
The underside tells you about the foundry's production methods and era. Three configurations exist: gate mark, heat ring, and smooth bottom. Each belongs to a specific production window.
3. The Pattern Number
A three or four digit number cast into the skillet identifying the specific mold pattern. Often accompanied by a letter suffix identifying the individual mold within that pattern series.
4. The Size Number
Griswold's size numbering system — like Wagner's — referred to stove eye sizing, not diameter in inches. Understanding size numbers is essential for accurate identification and valuation.
SSC Note: No single marker is definitive on its own. An Erie logo places a piece pre-1905. A large block logo places it 1920–1940. Combined with heat ring or smooth bottom, the date narrows to within a decade. This is the SSC method.
Section 2 — Logo Evolution Timeline
Griswold's logo evolved more dramatically than any other major American cast iron foundry. Each era is visually distinct and corresponds to a specific production window.
Era 1 — Selden & Griswold / Early Erie (1865–1884)
The earliest pieces pre-date the Griswold Manufacturing Company name entirely. Pieces from this era carry the Selden & Griswold or Erie marking without the Griswold name. These are among the rarest pieces in the American cast iron record.
• Selden & Griswold mark — pre-1884
• ERIE marking without GRISWOLD
• Gate marks common
• Heavy casting weight
• Extremely rare — museum-grade pieces
Era 2 — Small Block / Script Erie (1884–approximately 1905)
Griswold Manufacturing Company established and early branding developed. The Erie mark and early Griswold script appear on pieces from this transitional era.
• GRISWOLD in block or script letters
• ERIE location identifier
• Heat rings common
• Gate marks transitioning out
• Smaller, less refined logo compared to later eras
Era 3 — Large Block Logo (approximately 1920–1940)
The most immediately recognizable Griswold mark. GRISWOLD in large block capital letters with ERIE PA below. This is the logo most collectors associate with Griswold at its production peak. Pieces from this era represent the pinnacle of American cast iron manufacturing quality.
• Large block GRISWOLD letters
• ERIE PA below
• Cross and circle trademark
• Heat ring on earlier pieces — smooth bottom on later pieces
• Machined cooking surface — glassy smooth interior
• The most collected Griswold era
Era 4 — Small Logo (approximately 1940–1957)
As production economics changed in the post-war era, Griswold's logo became smaller and less prominent. Small logo pieces are later production and generally lighter weight than large block pieces.
• Smaller GRISWOLD lettering
• ERIE PA retained
• Smooth bottom standard
• Lighter casting weight
• Less machining on cooking surface
Era 5 — Post-Griswold / Wagner Acquisition (1957–1969)
Griswold was acquired by General Housewares Corp in 1957. Post-acquisition pieces carry modified branding and represent the end of the classic Griswold production era. These pieces fall outside the SSC collection scope.
Section 3 — Bottom Configuration Dating
Gate Mark Bottom (pre-approximately 1890)
A raised line running across the bottom of the skillet — the remnant of the sand mold's pouring gate. Gate marks indicate pre-industrial casting methods and place a piece firmly in the earliest Griswold production era.
SSC Note: A gate-marked Griswold or Erie piece is among the oldest cast iron in the collector record. Gate marks are the physical signature of 19th century foundry practice.
Heat Ring Bottom (approximately 1884–early 1930s)
A raised circular ring sized to fit the stove eye of wood and coal burning kitchen ranges. Heat rings are present on Griswold pieces through approximately the late 1920s.
• Large block logo + heat ring = approximately 1920–1930
• Erie mark + heat ring = approximately 1884–1920
• Heat ring = earlier portion of any logo era
Smooth Bottom (approximately 1928–1957)
As gas and electric ranges replaced wood and coal stoves, Griswold transitioned to smooth-bottom production. A smooth-bottom large block logo piece is a later piece — post-1928 and typically 1930s through 1940s.
• Large block logo + smooth bottom = approximately 1930–1940
• Small logo + smooth bottom = approximately 1940–1957
Section 4 — Pattern Numbers Explained
Griswold pattern numbers follow a similar system to Wagner — a number identifying the mold design, sometimes followed by a letter suffix identifying the individual mold within that series.
Common Griswold Pattern Numbers By Size
Size
Pattern Number
No. 3
700 series
No. 4
701 series
No. 5
724 series
No. 6
699 series
No. 7
701 series
No. 8
704 series
No. 9
710 series
No. 10
716 series
No. 12
719 series
No. 14
715 series
The Letter Suffix
Following the pattern number, many Griswold pieces carry a letter suffix identifying the individual mold within the pattern series. As with Wagner, the suffix letter tracks production volume — A indicates the first mold, later letters confirm significant production runs preceded that casting.
Section 5 — Size Numbers and Actual Diameters
Griswold's size numbers correspond to stove eye sizing — not diameter in inches. This is one of the most common points of confusion for new collectors.
Griswold Size
Approximate Cooking Diameter
No. 3
6¼ inches
No. 4
6¾ inches
No. 5
7½ inches
No. 6
8 inches
No. 7
8¾ inches
No. 8
9½ inches
No. 9
10½ inches
No. 10
11½ inches
No. 12
13¼ inches
No. 14
15 inches
Section 6 — Quick Dating Reference Chart
Use this chart as a first-pass dating tool. Confirm with the detailed sections above.
Logo
Bottom
Approximate Production Date
Selden & Griswold / Erie only
Gate mark
1865–1884
Small block / Script Erie
Heat ring
1884–1920
Large block GRISWOLD ERIE PA
Heat ring
1920–1930
Large block GRISWOLD ERIE PA
Smooth
1928–1940
Small logo GRISWOLD ERIE PA
Smooth
1940–1957
Post-acquisition marks
Smooth
1957–1969 — outside SSC scope
Note: Overlap periods exist at all transition points. Use this chart as a starting framework, not a final determination.
Section 7 — SSC Collection Examples
The SSC Museum Collection contains documented Griswold pieces representing multiple production eras. Each piece is cataloged with full maker documentation, pattern number identification, and primary source cross-referencing.
Griswold Erie No. 8 Skillet — Pre-Spider Era
One of the SSC collection's documented pre-spider era Erie pieces. The Erie marking without the spider trademark places this piece in the earlier production window. Full pattern number identification and provenance record in the SSC catalog.
Griswold Erie Dutch Oven — Pattern 1278
The SSC collection's Griswold Erie Dutch Oven documents a less commonly encountered Griswold hollow ware form. Pattern 1278 identification and full catalog record documented in the SSC archive.
Griswold Manufacturing Company Erie PA Bean Pot — Pattern 912
A specialty hollow ware form — the bean pot represents Griswold's production beyond the standard skillet line. Pattern 912 and full provenance documentation in the SSC catalog.
All SSC Griswold pieces are documented using the four-marker dating method described in this guide. No piece is assigned a production date on the basis of a single marker.
About The SSC Museum Collection
Steve's Seasoned Classics documents 130+ pieces from 50+ confirmed Ohio cast iron makers — the majority of them absent from standard collector references. The SSC research methodology pairs physical artifacts with original historical investigation, connecting marked pieces of cast iron to the patents, partnerships, city directories, and trade catalogs that tell the stories no one else is telling.
The Ohio Foundry Directory — SSC's comprehensive index of confirmed Ohio cast iron makers cross-referenced against physical artifacts, patent records, and archival sources — is scheduled for public launch in October 2026.
The iron endures. The markings tell the truth. The story deserves to be told.
Steve's Seasoned Classics — www.stevesseasonedclassics.com
Page: How To Date A Griswold Skillet — Complete Collector's Guide
Section: Library → How To Date A Griswold Skillet
Curator: Steve Thaman, SSC
Research standard: Primary source cross-referenced
Last updated: June 2026