Wagner Ware Sidney -O- No. 8 Cast Iron Skillet (1058 S)

Stylized Logo Era | Smooth Finish | Dual Pour Spouts | SSC Museum Restoration

Overview: A Cast Iron Classic

The Wagner Ware Sidney -O- No. 8 cast iron skillet, marked 1058 S, is one of the most common yet beloved pieces from Wagner Manufacturing’s golden age of production. Cast during the 1930s to early 1940s, this size 8 skillet embodies the perfect balance of form and function, featuring Wagner’s signature light casting, silky-smooth interior, and symmetrical profile.

With its durable size, elegant handle design, and dual pour spouts, this skillet represents the everyday workhorse of mid-century American kitchens. It was ideal for stovetop and oven use, prized for both its aesthetic and cooking performance.

Wagner Manufacturing: Mastery in the Everyday

Wagner Manufacturing Co. was founded in 1891 in Sidney, Ohio, and quickly established itself as one of America’s premier producers of cast iron and aluminum cookware. The "Stylized Wagner" logo used on this skillet represents a peak in the company’s branding and manufacturing excellence between the 1920s and 1940s.

Unlike competitors that focused on rugged utility, Wagner skillets were known for their elegant curves, lighter weight, and finely machined cooking surfaces. The No. 8 was the most widely sold size and helped define Wagner’s reputation for daily usability and generational durability.

Specifications & Design Features

  • Size: No. 8

  • Top Rim Diameter: ~10 1/2"

  • Cooking Surface Diameter: ~8 7/8"

  • Depth: ~2"

  • Handle to Rim Length: ~15 1/2"

  • Weight: ~4.5 to 4.75 lbs

  • Pattern Number: 1058 S (underside)

  • Logo: Stylized WAGNER WARE / SIDNEY –O–, centered

  • Finish: Smooth machined interior

  • Other Features: Dual pour spouts, symmetrical handle

Why Collectors Love the No. 8

The No. 8 is the cornerstone of any Wagner set. It’s the most versatile and usable skillet size for modern kitchens while still offering the elegance and craftsmanship of vintage manufacturing. Due to its popularity, many examples exist—but well-restored, undamaged pieces are still highly collectible.

Highlights for collectors:

  • Signature smooth finish and light casting

  • Most balanced and versatile size in Wagner’s line

  • Classic stylized logo from the pre-WWII era

  • Common enough to use—beautiful enough to display

SSC Museum Restoration & Condition

This skillet has been restored under the SSC Museum Protocol to preserve both form and function:

  • 🔹 Full degreasing and iron-safe neutralization

  • 🔹 Surface stabilized and conditioned with archival oil

  • 🔹 Verified for flatness, pour spout integrity, and rim profile

  • 🔹 Display-ready with soft satin seasoning finish

Condition Certification

✅ No cracks or warping
✅ Sits flat on glass and stovetop
✅ Logo and size mark are clear
✅ Interior smoothed and seasoned
✅ Structurally sound and historically representative

Culinary & Display Applications

• Ideal size for daily cooking: eggs, searing meat, cornbread
• Perfect skillet for first-time vintage users
• Authentic museum-grade display piece
• Useful for interpretive demos and historical kitchens

Care & Use Best Practices

• Preheat slowly to preserve flatness
• Use wooden or silicone utensils
• Clean with hot water and non-abrasive brush
• Dry immediately and apply a light oil coat
• Do not soak or use in dishwasher

References

• Wagner Manufacturing Catalog No. 30 (1924)
• Cast Iron Collector. (2025). Wagner History and Pattern Guides
• SSC Archive Entry: SSC-WAG-SKL-08-1058S

A black cast iron skillet with the brand name Warner Ware Sidney engraved on the bottom, resting on a wooden surface.
A black cast iron skillet with no food on it, placed on a wooden surface.