Martin Stove & Range Co. | Hamburger Logo | Skillet | No. 14 | Heat Ring | 2-Finger Assist

Overview

This is a Martin Stove & Range Company No. 14 cast iron skillet featuring the distinctive "hamburger" logo, a heat ring, and a 2-finger assist handle — one of the largest and most sought-after pieces from this highly collectible Southern foundry. The Martin #14 represents the apex of the company's skillet production, a true workhorse designed for serious cooking and now a prized artifact of Alabama cast iron heritage.

This example exhibits the classic Martin design language: the oval-shaped hamburger logo trademark, a pronounced heat ring typical of stove-era engineering, dual pour spouts, and the functional 2-finger assist opposite the main handle for safe lifting of this substantial skillet.

This piece has been fully restored and seasoned to Steve's Seasoned Classics museum standards, preserved using the exclusive SSC Museum Process, and confirmed to remain structurally and geometrically stable.

Identification & Markings

Maker: Martin Stove & Range Co. (Florence, Alabama)

Marking/Line: Hamburger Logo era (1920–1950)

Item Type: Skillet

Size: No. 14

Form/Features:

• Classic Martin skillet profile with wide cooking surface

• Heat ring (stove-era design)

• Dual pour spouts

• 2-finger assist handle opposite main handle

• Hamburger logo underside marking with "MARTIN / STOVE & RANGE CO. / FLORENCE. ALA." and size "14"

Measurements & Weight (Typical Range for No. 14)

• Top Rim Diameter (spout to spout): ~16 3/8"

• Top Rim Diameter (without spouts): ~15 1/4" – 15 1/2"

• Cooking Surface Diameter: ~13" – 13 1/2"

• Overall Length (handle tip to assist): ~20" – 21"

• Depth: ~2 1/4" – 2 1/2"

• Weight: ~10 – 12 lbs

Historical Context

Martin Stove & Range Company was founded in Florence, Alabama in 1917 when brothers W.H. and Charles Martin purchased the struggling Florence Stove Foundry. The Martin brothers were experienced cast iron salesmen who had previously managed the King Stove & Range Company in nearby Sheffield. Under their leadership, the Florence foundry quickly turned profitable and began producing a full line of cast iron cookware alongside their coal and wood-burning stoves.

The distinctive oval "hamburger" logo — so named for its rounded, bun-like shape — became Martin's signature trademark, appearing on skillets, griddles, Dutch ovens, and other hollowware produced from approximately 1920 through 1950. Martin discontinued general hollow ware production in 1953, though the company continued as Martin Industries and remains in operation today producing heating equipment.

The hamburger logo skillet set consists of sizes 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 14. The No. 14 is the largest skillet Martin produced, making it both the most impressive and hardest to find in excellent condition. The heat ring feature ties this skillet directly to earlier stove technology, when pans were designed to sit within the "eyes" of wood-burning stoves.

Martin cast iron is particularly prized by Southern collectors and those with connections to the Tennessee Valley region. While Martin pans were not milled smooth like Wagner or Griswold, they were well-made, functional cookware that has developed a devoted following among vintage cast iron enthusiasts.

Condition Summary (SSC Museum Grade)

This skillet meets the highest structural benchmarks for collectible cast iron and has been preserved in museum-grade finish:

✅ No cracks (confirmed)

✅ No wobble (confirmed)

✅ Sits flat (confirmed)

✅ Fully restored and seasoned to SSC museum standards

✅ Preserved using the SSC Exclusive Museum Process

✅ Heat ring present and intact

✅ 2-finger assist handle in excellent condition

✅ Excellent archive candidate for long-term preservation

Cooking & Collector Value

The Martin No. 14 is the flagship piece of any Martin collection — the largest skillet size produced and a commanding presence in any display. For collectors, acquiring a No. 14 in excellent condition represents a significant achievement, as these large skillets saw heavy use and few have survived without damage.

From a practical standpoint, No. 14 skillets are ideal for:

• Large family meals and entertaining

• Whole chicken or multiple steaks

• Batch cooking and meal prep

• Giant cornbread or skillet desserts

• Display and historical preservation

The 2-finger assist handle is not merely decorative — it's essential for safely maneuvering a skillet of this size and weight. This functional feature demonstrates Martin's practical approach to cookware design.

Restoration Plan (SSC Process)

This piece is already complete and preserved under the Steve's Seasoned Classics Museum Process:

• Museum-grade strip and iron neutralization

• Complete stabilization and surface conditioning

• SSC seasoning applied for durable archival finish

• Final inspection for geometry, rim integrity, and stability

• Documentation preserved for SSC archive record

• Museum-grade storage prep and handling protocol

Care & Use Notes

• Preheat gradually — large iron requires controlled, even heating

• Use on burners at least 10" in diameter for best heat distribution

• Always use both handles when lifting — the 2-finger assist is there for safety

• Use oil/fat for longevity

• Clean with hot water and light brushing; dry immediately

• Wipe with a thin layer of oil after drying

• Never soak or dishwasher

Why This Piece Matters in the SSC Collection

The Martin Stove & Range Co. No. 14 Hamburger Logo Skillet represents the pinnacle of Southern cast iron manufacturing — the largest format from one of Alabama's most respected foundries. This skillet embodies the practical, no-nonsense approach of Southern cookware: built heavy, built to last, and built for serious cooking.

Preserved with museum-quality restoration and confirmed structural integrity, it serves as the crown jewel of any Martin collection and a lasting record of Tennessee Valley industrial heritage.

Catalog & Naming

Catalog Number

SSC-MAR-SKL-14-BURG-HR-2FA-001

Inventory Name

Collection Reference

This piece is part of the Steve's Seasoned Classics Southern Foundry Collection, representing the finest examples of cast iron from Alabama, Tennessee, and the broader American South.

Preservation Statement

Preserved as a museum-quality specimen, this Martin Stove & Range Co. No. 14 Hamburger Logo Skillet stands as a lasting record of Southern cast iron craftsmanship and Alabama industrial heritage.