Wagner Ware Sidney -O- No. 5 Cast Iron Skillet (1055)
Stylized Logo Era | Smooth Finish | Compact Utility | SSC Museum Restoration

Overview: Precision in a Small Frame

The Wagner Ware Sidney -O- No. 5 cast iron skillet, pattern number 1055, represents the perfect balance of form and function in a compact package. Produced in Sidney, Ohio between the 1920s and 1940s, this skillet belongs to Wagner’s stylized logo era—widely regarded as the company’s design peak. Though small in size, the No. 5 skillet was made with the same high standards of precision milling and even casting found in the brand’s larger pieces.

With a cooking surface ideal for frying a single egg or searing small portions, this skillet would have been a daily-use pan in smaller households. Today, it holds a strong appeal for collectors due to its balanced profile, excellent craftsmanship, and functional versatility.

Wagner Manufacturing: Cast Iron Pioneers

The Wagner Manufacturing Company was founded in 1891 by the Wagner brothers in Sidney, Ohio. Throughout the first half of the 20th century, Wagner developed a reputation for producing finely milled, lightweight, and exceptionally smooth cookware. The use of stylized logos and consistent pattern numbering created a clear lineage for collectors and historians alike.

The “Wagner Ware Sidney -O-” logo featured on this piece reflects the company’s branding period between the 1920s and 1940s—an era that saw rapid expansion of their product line and improvements in casting quality.

Specifications & Design Features

  • Size: No. 5

  • Top Rim Diameter: ~8 1/8"

  • Cooking Surface Diameter: ~6 3/4"

  • Depth: ~1 3/4"

  • Overall Length (handle to rim): ~13 1/4"

  • Weight: ~2.5 – 2.75 lbs

  • Pattern Number: 1055 (underside)

  • Logo: Stylized ‘WAGNER WARE / SIDNEY –O–’ centered above pattern number

  • Finish: Smooth base with dual pour spouts and glass-like interior surface

Why Collectors Value the No. 5

While large skillets often dominate collector attention, smaller sizes like the No. 5 are coveted for their proportion, rarity in undamaged form, and utility. These pans often suffered from overuse and thermal shock, making well-preserved examples more difficult to find.

Collectors prize this skillet for:

  • ✔️ Everyday utility and display appeal

  • ✔️ Clear logo and original casting quality

  • ✔️ Excellent balance and light feel in hand

  • ✔️ Compatibility with small burners and wood stoves

SSC Museum Restoration & Condition

This No. 5 skillet underwent the full Steve’s Seasoned Classics (SSC) Museum Restoration Protocol, which includes:

  • ✅ Full degreasing and iron-safe neutralization

  • ✅ Surface stabilization and archival-grade seasoning

  • ✅ Rim and spout verification for flatness and pour integrity

  • ✅ Gentle polishing of interior surface to enhance smooth finish

Condition Certification

  • ✅ No cracks, warping, or significant pitting

  • ✅ Sits flat on a glass cooktop (no wobble or spin)

  • ✅ Logo and pattern number are crisp and well-centered

  • ✅ Finished with SSC archival-grade seasoning (display safe)

Culinary & Display Applications

  • Fry a single egg or sear scallops with precision

  • Toast spices or warm sauces without scorching

  • Display as a “starter” piece in cast iron galleries

  • Use in educational exhibits for cast iron production techniques

Care & Use Best Practices

  • Preheat slowly and evenly

  • Clean with hot water and non-abrasive brush

  • Avoid sudden temperature changes

  • Lightly oil after each use

  • Never soak or place in dishwasher

References

  • Wagner Manufacturing Co. (1924). Cast Iron Cookware Catalog No. 30, Sidney, OH

  • Cast Iron Collector. (2025). “Wagner Manufacturing History”

  • SSC Archive Record: SSC-WAG-SKL-5-1055

Cast iron skillet with a long handle, resting on a wooden surface.
A black cast iron measuring cup with the number 5 on the handle, placed on a wooden surface.