Wagner Ware Sidney -O- No. 2 Cast Iron Skillet
Stylized Logo Era | Smooth Finish | Scarce Size | SSC Museum Restoration

Overview: Petite Precision in Cast Iron

The Wagner Ware Sidney -O- No. 2 cast iron skillet is a rare and finely crafted example from the golden era of American cast iron cookware. Bearing the distinctive stylized Wagner Ware logo and finished with the company’s signature smooth interior, the No. 2 combines delicate scale with practical durability.

At just over 6 inches in diameter, this skillet represents one of the smallest sizes in the Wagner standard line. Originally intended for warming, single-portion cooking, or stove-top side dishes, its scarcity on the collector market today reflects both limited production and a high loss rate over time due to its small, easily misplaced form.

Wagner Manufacturing: Small-Scale Excellence

From its founding in 1891, Wagner Manufacturing in Sidney, Ohio pioneered cast iron cookware with innovative designs and refined finishing techniques. The use of the stylized “Wagner Ware Sidney -O-” logo—common from the 1920s through early 1940s—denotes a period when the company emphasized consistency in branding and machining quality across its full range, from the largest roasters to the smallest pans.

The No. 2 skillet, likely produced between 1925 and 1940, reflects this commitment in miniature: a perfectly balanced, smooth-finished, two-spout pan ready for both kitchen use and collector admiration.

Specifications & Design Features

  • Size: No. 2

  • Top Rim Diameter: ~6 1/4"

  • Cooking Surface Diameter: ~5 1/2"

  • Depth: ~1 3/8"

  • Length (Handle to Rim): ~10 1/4"

  • Weight: ~1.8 lbs

  • Pattern Number: No number (only “2” on underside)

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

  • Other Features: Dual pour spouts, reinforced handle, smooth milled interior

Why Collectors Prize the No. 2

Due to its small size and limited utility for large households, the No. 2 skillet was never produced in high numbers, making original examples in excellent condition quite rare. Its value stems from:

  • ✦ Scarce production and survival rates

  • ✦ Iconic stylized branding in miniature format

  • ✦ Smooth finish and balanced proportions

  • ✦ Perfect pairing for display with full skillet sets

SSC Museum Restoration & Condition

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

  • ✔ Iron-safe stripping and neutralization

  • ✔ Stabilization and archival dry seasoning finish

  • ✔ Verified flatness and rim integrity

  • ✔ Safe for display or culinary interpretation

Condition Certification

✅ No cracks or chips
✅ Smooth, damage-free cooking surface
✅ Flat bottom with no warp or spin
✅ Spouts and rim intact
✅ Fully restored to archival SSC finish

Culinary & Display Applications

• Butter melting and sauce warming
• Single-egg or mini-dessert presentations
• Paired with Nos. 3–14 for progressive display
• Museum interpretive exhibits on household scale

Care & Use Best Practices

• Heat gradually and avoid overheating
• Clean with hot water and soft brush only
• Hand-dry and oil lightly after use
• Do not soak or use in dishwashers

References

• Wagner Manufacturing Co. Catalog No. 30 (1924)
• Cast Iron Collector. (2025). “Wagner Manufacturing History”
• Southern Cast Iron. (2024). “Legacy of Wagner Ware”
• SSC Internal Archive Record: SSC-WAG-SKL-2

A vintage black cast iron skillet with embossed text on the bottom that reads 'Wagner Ware Sidney O.' and the number '2', placed on a wooden surface.
A metal measuring cup with a handle marked with the number '2', resting on a wooden surface.