Wagner Ware Sidney -O- No. 0 Cast Iron Skillet (Toy Sample) | Stylized Logo | Miniature Collector’s Piece | SSC Museum Restoration

Overview: Rare Miniature Cast Iron from the Golden Age

The Wagner Ware Sidney -O- No. 0 cast iron skillet is a diminutive yet historically significant artifact from the early 20th century, widely considered a toy or salesman’s sample. Cast with the stylized Wagner Ware logo and measuring under 4.5 inches in diameter, this skillet is a rare survivor from a category often lost, damaged, or discarded.

Unlike full-size skillets, the No. 0 was likely intended for demonstration or display purposes, though it was fully functional and occasionally used for melting butter or miniature servings. Its rarity makes it a prized item among serious cast iron collectors.

Wagner Manufacturing: Miniatures with Mastery

Founded in 1891 in Sidney, Ohio, Wagner Manufacturing set the benchmark for American cast iron cookware. The stylized “WAGNER WARE SIDNEY -O-” logo, introduced in the 1920s, became a hallmark of quality during the company’s most collectible production era.

The No. 0 skillet likely dates from 1925–1935, a period when the company expanded its offerings and branding to include miniatures for toy sets, samples, or novelty gifting. This skillet demonstrates the same smooth milling and casting precision found on larger pans.

Specifications & Design Features

  • Size: No. 0

  • Top Rim Diameter: ~4 1/4"

  • Cooking Surface Diameter: ~3 3/4"

  • Depth: ~1"

  • Length (Handle to Rim): ~6 3/4"

  • Weight: ~0.75 lbs

  • Pattern Number: Unmarked

  • Logo: Stylized 'WAGNER WARE / SIDNEY -O-' centered on underside

  • Other Features: Heat ring, dual pour spouts, loop handle, milled interior

Why Collectors Prize the No. 0

This skillet’s significance lies in its unique role and rare survival. Key collectible factors include:

✦ Extremely low production compared to full-size pans
✦ Rarely survived in good condition due to size and fragility
✦ Fully branded with stylized Wagner logo despite miniature scale
✦ Often missing from even advanced collections
✦ Ideal as a keystone display item in progressive size sets

SSC Museum Restoration & Condition

This skillet has undergone full SSC museum-standard restoration, including:

✔ Iron-safe stripping and neutralization
✔ Archival seasoning application
✔ Rim integrity and flatness verification
✔ Original milling marks preserved
✔ Ready for display or gentle functional use

Condition Certification

✅ No cracks or chips
✅ Smooth, intact cooking surface
✅ Heat ring fully intact
✅ Spouts clean and symmetrical
✅ Branding clear and legible
✅ Verified flat (no wobble or spin)

Culinary & Display Applications

• Toy/novelty or salesman’s display replica
• Collector centerpiece in skillet progression
• Butter melting or warming for tea service
• Interpreted for museum exhibits on early 20th-century domestic life

Care & Use Best Practices

• Hand-wash only with hot water and soft brush
• Dry thoroughly and oil lightly after use
• Avoid dishwasher or harsh detergents
• Ideal for display or light, infrequent culinary use

References

• Wagner Manufacturing Co. Catalog No. 30 (1924)
• Cast Iron Collector. (2025). “Miniature and Toy Skillets: An Overview”
• Southern Cast Iron. (2024). “Small Treasures: Cast Iron Miniatures”
• SSC Internal Archive Record: SSC-WAG-SKL-0
• Etsy Order #3857439628 — CastIronTreasures, Nov 12, 2025

A small vintage cast iron skillet with the words '10 + GNER WAUB SIDNEY' engraved on the bottom. A clear ruler is laid across the skillet for measurement, showing it to be approximately 6 inches in diameter. The skillet is on a wooden surface.
A cast iron skillet with a metal measuring cup inside, and a clear ruler placed across the top, measuring approximately 8 inches in length, on a wooden surface.