Massive Vintage Cast Iron Haul - Griswold, Wagner, Vollrath, Unmarked & A Few Hunting Tips!

I recently took two short trips with family to different areas and was lucky to find a ton of cast iron. Some was way over priced but I did manage to find some great bargains on some historic pieces. Watch to see what I picked up and what I paid as well as what these pieces go for if you have them and need or want to sell or simply want to know! This video should help you when you are out cast iron hunting ~ did you find a treasure at a great bargain or should you walk away or pass on the piece if it is over priced?
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[@cristrivera]

That was quite the haul 😃😃 that waffle maker alone was a great find. Kudos to your mom and your husband for getting into the cast iron treasure hunt. I would love to see how you set up the electrolysis tank. Thanks for sharing the video👍🏻💯💯💯

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Thank you cristian! Since I had those 5 pieces when hubby and I went shopping, I wasn't as concerned about finding more, but did tell my mom I wanted another waffle iron and would get one if priced all right. She was actively hunting with me which she seemed to enjoy more than in the past. Hubby is getting good at recognizing if something is priced reasonably or if it is too expensive. I love seeing them both learn about what I love to pick up. :-) As to the electrolysis tank, the biggest challenge is finding room in our garage for it that won't be too much in the way. Because you connect the tank with a manual car battery charger, an electrical source also needs to be near by/convenient! I have some eBay storage supplies out there along with supplies for our woodstove. The garage is large, but we have so much stuff! lol

[@raulregalado3067]

That is awesome you got me started in my silver endeavours and now in cast irons

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Thank you and I am happy to hear that! Cast iron is much easier to acquire on a retirement income than is silver & precious metals too! lol

[@sslukerable]

Great haul!👍🏻 I passed up a skillet made in Taiwan the past weekend. I regret not getting it now because it was lightweight and would have been a good user for me. Only wanted a couple bucks, looked just like my Wagner. I did get a couple cornbread pans, a cornstick pan, Lodge grill pan & a BSR skillet/lid for a combo cooker, just didn’t have the cooker😂 figure I might run across one later though. All the pieces were in pretty good shape. I’m new to collecting but absolutely love cooking in cast iron. Now my daughter and even my grandson are wanting to start collecting. I have several of my grandmother’s skillets. Can’t wait to see yours after you get them cleaned and seasoned. Be Blessed!🙏🏻

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Thank you so much for that SSL! Funny you mentioned passing up that Taiwan pan. I initially passed it up too when the shop mgr thrust it into my hand and stated it was 30% off. He talked me into picking it up for $3.50. Maybe it's a Wagner, but whatever it is, it seems like a good pan that will be a solid cooker. When I am out hunting, I see those Taiwan pans a lot when the vendor thinks its a Wagner....I have some cornstick pans as well and enjoyed making cornbread at Thanksgiving in them. I will do a video once I have cleaned them up and I can identify them better! :-) Have a Blessed day yourself!

[@Wiencourager]

Some of the Taiwain pans are close copies of vintage Wagner, and are really good,with polished interior.

[@TomokosEnterprize]

WOW, I would love a griddle like that. I can imagine it all tuned up. What a great bunch of neat things you picked up my friend. Great post luv.

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Yes, I was hoping you would stop by and thank you for doing so! The griddle is an unmarked piece, but made in Mexico from my initial lye cleaning exam. I can't wait to get them all cleaned, but can only fit 5 in there now until I add some more water & lye crystals! I will be back once they are all done!

[@TomokosEnterprize]

@@ladylibertystacker2014 That is the first griddle I have ever seen. Can we do a trade of some sort, ? I have silver to barter with old friend.

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Oh I dunno....it is a Mexican antique circa early 1900s. I will have to think about it. Need to actually get it done first! lol

[@TomokosEnterprize]

@@ladylibertystacker2014 I am looking forward to that.

[@walt2t]

Now that's a haul. I found a Wagner #3 that was rusty inside for .50 at a garage sale last weeks. After a little cleaning it looks like maybe a few small pits in it but most was just surface rust so I think it will be a pretty nice little pan.

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

A Wagner for $.50? It's like taking candy away from a baby - a no brainer! Good score. My first pieces of cast iron were covered in rust and have some pitting which doesn't really affect the cooking. They are some of my favorite skillets. Thanks for stopping by & nice to see you!

[@mizfrenchtwist]

hello , lady liberty...great haul , I think the first little skillet , is made in the u.s.a. , an unmarked wagner.....we'll see . so happy for you........you well deserve this good hit and many more , thank you , for sharing............

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Hey there mizfrenchtwist! I sure do hope you're right about that #3 unmarked (hopefully Wagner) but it could be a Taiwan pan. It does have the structure of a Wagner though....here's to keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for watching. I was just excited to have found so many pieces all around the same time. This has never happened to me since I have been collecting. I guess I need to venture out of the area to different antique malls and/or flea markets!

[@mizfrenchtwist]

@@ladylibertystacker2014 right that............

[@expatstacker3838]

When my brother and I were young, my grandma would fix us pancakes in her cast iron skillet. They were so delicious- crispy on the outside, and warm and moist on the inside and it was a special treat we always looked forward to when visiting. When my grandparents passed away and I was given free range of their house to take anything that was special to me, I went straight for those cast iron skillets. I still have them and use them occasionally, and I was wondering if you could help me identify them and maybe suggest if they should be given any type of treatment?

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

That is so cool that you wanted to keep your Grandmother's skillets. All it takes is for a memory of her cooking in them for you and there you go. I just wish I had discovered this hobby years ago and could have raised my son with cast iron and cast iron cooking. All is not lost because I bought a modern Lodge for he and his wife and she spotted a #3 small logo Griswold that I restored for her for Christmas a couple of years ago and he requested one for his birthday to make eggs. I got him a BS&R #5, stripped it, smoothed it down for him and gave it to him for his 24th birthday. We were at his house 2 months later for Thanksgiving and all of those skillets were jet black which means one thing...he continued to use and season them. I was thrilled! That said, if you want to send me photos of the skillets to my email: [e-mail] I will take a look at them for you. In the meanwhile, please check out www.castironcollector.com in their section on identifying unmarked cast iron and the section on hallmarks of the cast iron manufacturers of the early 20th century for makers marks and such. Good luck!

[@onpoint1977]

Quite the haul!! I was so excited when you flipped the lil#5 I knew it was a Vollrath I too stumbled upon the #8 and it's beautiful probably my favorite piece! Also that large unmarked Wagner is stellar I paid 14 for mine last month what a pan!

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Thank you onpoint1977! I need to get these pieces into my lye bath now that I've done this video! I can't wait to see what lies beneath all that crud. That's half the fun! I just get so excited when I find rare or hard to find pieces and can get them for a reasonable price. It was exciting for sure. Those Vollrath pans are high quality skillets, every bit as good as Griswold or Wagner! :-)

[@onpoint1977]

@@ladylibertystacker2014 absolutely! I get excited too when I find them I have to get them cleaned up as soon as I get home. I do not have lye bath I use my self cleaning oven and vinegar soak but everything has came out awesome IMO as I'm only 3 mths into my iron addiction! Just under 90 pieces of iron including trivets and miniatures. It's so much fun.

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Now that is a serious collection! I don't have that many because I keep flipping them due to limited space! I enjoy seeing people buy them and they never seem to sit for too long in my store. If one needed to know, I have about 25-30 pieces of varying sizes and functions in my collection. I have started picking looking for the rare pieces or pieces I myself have not come across in the wild! If you keep up your pace, you will definitely run out of room and will need to sell some or devote a whole room to them including the wall space! lol

[@rubennavegante3491]

Thanks for the video

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

You bet!

[@tomtrostel2116]

Your number 10 skillet with "11 3/4 inch" on the bottom in a Century series made by BSR

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

No, that is not correct. It is definitely a Wagner because it has a handle that flattens out before the sidewall on the underside. The makers marks are also consistent with Wagner unmarked pans. Also the top of the handle on a BS&R does NOT flatten out as it meets the sidewall. The fonts and stamp sizes are also not the same with BS&R as with Wagner. Please see www.castironcollector.com for more information. Also most if not all BSR's all have heat rings and if it were a Century series, started in the 1950s and extended to the 1960s, it would have a Made In USA sticker on it as was required from 1960 on.

[@kimkichinko2445]

Since retiring I am now attacking all the jobs that I have been wanting to do. This includes cleaning my cast iron that I have had for 30 years. Love your videos and I have learned a lot. I have a griddle very similar to yours...I picked it up because it was different and I liked the look of it. After much cleaning I must say I was very happy with results. Smooth on top with some pitting, however the bottom has a hammered look to it. I use it as decoration. No markings. Any thoughts?

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Not sure about the griddle, but it sounds like an antique to me without markings. I would do some Google image searches for antique double wide cast iron griddle and see what you come up with. That's how I learned about mine, but it helped that it had markings. I plan to use mine for pancakes despite the mild pitting. I like that I can easily pick it up with the handles which is much easier to manipulate than other designs. I think there is nothing better in the world than bringing an old CI piece back to a version of it's former glory!

[@mizfrenchtwist]

BTW that griswold waffle iron , looks like a slant............mo' money...........

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Yes, exactly what I was thinking as I was doing the video. The markings are in such good condition and that large slanted logo is very collectible. Funny thing is, I plan on keeping that iron maker and selling the Favorite Piqua Ware! lol

[@mizfrenchtwist]

@@ladylibertystacker2014 good move ..it'll only increase in value....

[@randystanton6280]

Oh you helped me identify my vollrath. Ty

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

You are most welcome! They are fairly rare as I don't come across them often in my area.

[@randystanton6280]

@@ladylibertystacker2014 it was in a rusted lot for maybe $3. Nice little number 3.

[@MikeJones-jr5hb]

Great find. awesome waffle irons.

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Thanks Mike! I thought I had died and gone to Heaven with so much to choose from!

[@mykittenisagrandmaster4381]

Hola Miss LLS and everyone ♥️

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Hola Mr. Food Stamp! ;-)

[@stevenfisher4547]

You can put it in a self cleaning oven , to get it down to the metal

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

I only use that option for desperate measures. I find that using my lye bath with repeated scrubbings with an occasional vinegar soak will take off most if not all old crud and seasoning without warping the skillet which a self-clean oven can do. I would never put in skillets with thinner walls like Griswold, Vollrath, Puritan, and other similar skillets into a self-clean oven unless you're prepared for the possibility of warpage.

[@GumriRN]

I have my husband’s Great-Grandmother’s double cast iron griddle from Federalsburg, Maryland. I can’t find a hallmark on it but it’s amazing there is absolutely no rust on it. I don’t use it but I’d love to know how to care for it if I do try to use it. It’s got to be from earlier than 1850 since his Mom was born in 1886! Any suggestions?

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Actually, that is very simple. You would care for it like you would any other cast iron. I treated my double grill exactly the same as all the other cast iron I have restored. The one thing I would NEVER do on an antique like this or any valuable cast iron is to use a wire wheel or a self clean oven. Check out my play list on the care and maintenance of cast iron and you will see how I care for mine. I have a few restoration videos on there as well. Hope this helps.

[@kimgardenhirekg]

i know this is a old video but i just received a griddle just like yours trying to research is and there was markings on the side that said sultana its made in mexico

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

The most I could find was that it was made in Mexico around the early 1900s or from 1900-1950.

[@kimgardenhirekg]

Thanks for replying I’ve been watching allot of your videos . I’m looking forward to restoring it and using it some

[@alwaystommy]

Hi when you get the wagner chicken fryer ready let know please would like to get it on your ebay store

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

I can certainly do that Thomas. The first batch of pans are soaking now, so this will be in the next batch. I would imagine I can have it ready in a couple of weeks. Please email me at [e-mail] with your contact information so I can let you know when the Wagner fryer is ready. I will past a video as well showing the transformation. Thanks again!

[@honestamerican9511]

It is a 6" skillet, logo on bottom is 2" with Indianhead within, there is a cast dot(?) bottom left of Indianhead, to right of dot is 3 or 4 letter word in CAPS i can't make out , to right of that is the word WARE, there are other words i cannot make out, all these words circle the Indianhead within the 2" logo, (akin to an Indianhead penny) also with a full uncut heat-ring around bottom. On top, there is a quarter inch lip around the pan with 2 pour spouts (on either side, left and right of handle, > The handle has the # 3 recessed in an indentation where handle meets pan, has a strengthening web under handle where it meets pan, main handle part has a more squared end with rounded corners, handle is has a cast in cut-out in it and has letters in a recessed area also under it.

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Please send me photos to [e-mail]. Easier to see it that way. You also might want to checkout out the Facebook cast iron groups for more timely help. There are always people that will know what you have because of the sheer numbers of people in the groups. This one is a good place to start: facebook.com/groups/630846790367804 Best of luck!

[@gbmarie836]

I have a very old chicken fryer like the one you show that is Wagner but mine does not have any markings. It is very old. I have had it 50 years and got it from my mother in law who also had it for years. It is 11 inches by 3 inches deep. Very smooth interior and nice outside too but has some pitting on bottom that looks like may have been used on a wood stove. Do you have any idea who might be the maker and the age of it?

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

I really cannot tell you unless I had photos of it. You can email me at [e-mail] if you want.

[@gbmarie836]

@@ladylibertystacker2014 Thank you, I will do that.

[@honestamerican9511]

Does anyone know about vintage cast iron skillets with an "Indianhead" (logo or style?) on the bottom?

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

What size is it? What does the logo actually look like?

[@zazzyman]

Hi Lady....I have a question for you...I scored a bunch of pans recently and one of them, a probable 1950's Wagner Ware, has a really nice surface and no rust. I have no idea how old the seasoning is but it looks ready to use. Should I or do I l need to strip it down and reseason? Will I feel grossed out even if it tastes good? It is probably my favorite pan of the bunch because it is a 9 and perfectly fits my glass electric cooktop. Lady please help me before I poison my family!

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

I am not telling you what to do, but if it were me, I would strip it by soaking it in a lye bath, then neutralize with a quick rinse in a vinegar bath or with a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar, wipe off really good to dry. Spray with oil to protect it until you can season it, then season it 3+ times in the oven. If you don't have a lye bath, you can do an Easy Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner spray down in a dark heavy garbage bag. There are videos on how to do this properly if you haven't seen my or other's videos. I like to start from scratch with a pan stripped down to the bare metal to get off any stubborn old carbonized seasoning. Sometimes there will be rust under the old seasoning as well, so it's best to know what you are dealing with. Rust left on can cause possible damage. Hope this helps.

[@zazzyman]

@@ladylibertystacker2014 i followed your advise, using oven cleaner and vinager bath, and it came out near excellent. I am building an electrolisis tub and may or may not give it a little electricity. But i still wonder what the old seasoning was like. The little bit of rust was on the outside. Oh well...

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

That sounds really great! I am on the fence about an electrolysis bath as there isn't an ideal space for it in my garage. Thus far, my lye bath and vinegar bath seem to be working for now. It just requires a bit more patience as it takes a little longer to remove the old seasoning and carbon.

[@generalstack6540]

We are waiting for your next Libertad video. The tads have gotten very expensive this year.

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

I am actually waiting until I can find some and when I do, hopefully it will be a good deal. I missed a chance to buy them earlier. I waited thinking I could get a better price. :-(

[@generalstack6540]

Did you get a tube of 2019’s yet? You always buy at least 1 tube

[@generalstack6540]

LadyLibertyStacker usually u get your tube at the end of the year but this year they are so expensive

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

General Stack - Not yet! I missed a good opportunity because it was higher than I paid for the 2 tubes I got last year, but it was a great price - under $500.00 I got greedy and thought I could do better. Now, I will have to be patient and wait for either spot to drop, a deal to come, or both. I can get the quantity discount at Provident if I pay cash, but they don't have them in stock now. And yes, I usually buy my Libertads around the end of the year as better deals have usually been there annually and I hope this year is no different.

[@generalstack6540]

LadyLibertyStacker what would you be willing to pay for them now?

[@skeets6060]

I hope you can help me ID this corn bread pan,,, It is 7 mold wheat head not corn, the back has corn bread stick pan with a letter B on the center mold, Any help would be cool,, Thanks

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

I would suggest you Google a description of the pan...something like unmarked cornbread pan with letter B on center mold. Google "all", then "images" to see what comes up. I no longer buy them as they aren't worth too much, and they are a beast to restore! lol

[@2enigma8]

Hi what’s your favourite brand? Thanks

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Griswold and it's variants hands down. They are better made and generally have been taken care of better by past owners. I have noticed more issues with other brands like Wagner (cracks, pitting, or warpage). That is just my experience. Hope this helps.

[@DM-jf3lg]

Hey, I have a small skillet it has a heat ring and a handle like a Volrath. But no number or markings on the bottom of the skillet. It is numbered on top and bottom of the handle. On top it has an italicized 3 with a small c below it. They are not raised. On the bottom of the handle in the curve there is a 6. Can please help identify.

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

It really is hard to tell without photos. One should look at the handle itself, the pour spouts, the thickness of your side walls, and where the heat ring is, etc. please see www.castironcollector.com and they have sections on fonts and logos as well as a section on identification of no name iron. Best of luck. There are also Facebook groups on cast iron if you are on FB.

[@DM-jf3lg]

@@ladylibertystacker2014 Hey thanks for responding so quickly. I just found the same pan for sale on Etsy. A seller that goes by FloridaCastIronFinds out of Winter Springs, Florida has it for sale for $30. They have a lot of great iron for sale. Also, picked up a BSR #8 today for $5.

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Good deal on the BSR! BSR isn't that expensive. It isn't as collectible, but makes excellent users.

[@DM-jf3lg]

@@ladylibertystacker2014 me and my wife went out today. We picked up a Griswold #8 small logo skillet, a Wagner -O- #8 skillet, a #8 BSR skillet, a Wagner kettle, it looks like a #8 and lastly we picked up a large kettle with a large #8 on the lid. It doesn’t have any other marks other than a gate mark. All total $80.

[@MrAXO-vy6lq]

Hello liberty stacker What size if the vollrath? If it is a 10 would you be willing to sell

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

It was a #5 or about 8.5” or so. Unfortunately, it sold a couple of weeks ago on Etsy.

[@MrAXO-vy6lq]

@@ladylibertystacker2014 Ooo man if you ever come across a 10 or 11... Pleas keep me in mind I am unable to find any out here

[@kellybadea5315]

It’s one thing to have a collection but then at some point you have to realize it’s an actual addiction. An addiction to the find. Let some other people enjoy some special cast iron pans. No need to hoard it all to yourself. I’ve seen others do this too. Brag about their hundred pieces of Griswold. Yeah people collect things but when do you stop? When do you realize it’s a problem. One guy had them all just laying around all through his house. Didn’t even have a place to keep them just addicted to the find. I have 3 and I’d like one more for size variety but i don’t think I’ll find one because of hoarders collecting 50 pieces and it’s not still not enough. Oh brother!!!!

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Yep, there are those that hoard and/or collect like this. I don't happen to be one of them, although I do have a decent size collection. I used to buy them to restore and resell online so what I bought I didn't necessarily keep. I no longer buy and collect them now as my life circumstances have changed a bit. I will probably list them locally so others can use what I know I won't. And I don't even have 50 pieces - thank goodness! lol

[@jamesmcmillan7845]

Just bought a nice unmarked Vollrath #9 Skillet for $45.00

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Is it restored already, or will you be doing that?

[@jamesmcmillan7845]

@@ladylibertystacker2014 Looks like most of the seasoning was removed however, I always redo any pan I get. I have found if you don't get even the light surface corrosion off, they will start losing spots of seasoning after a few months.

[@jamesmcmillan7845]

@@ladylibertystacker2014 I got the Vollrath #9 pan today, I think it is overall the best of all I have collected so far other than my Grandmothers unmarked Wagner. It is a solid pan but, the handle is a little hard on the hands. It was re seasoned but, not very well, i will re-do that

[@jamesmcmillan7845]

The soup kettle has a lot of deep pitting, no lid

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Yes, I realize that. I’ve flipped these bean pots for decent money on eBay despite pitting. The lid doesn’t seem to matter on these pots. Unfortunately for this one, it had a crack so it was left out with the trash for the metal pickers.

[@jamesmcmillan7845]

@@ladylibertystacker2014 Sorry, not rying to be critical. I started collecting cast iron pans a little over a year ago and I am still learning.

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

@@jamesmcmillan7845 Oh, I realize that, sorry if my reply came across as if it did. Yes, there was pitting in the pot, but people don't seem to care as much because they are using these generally for camping and making stews and such which don't actually require a smooth surface like flipping an egg would!

[@snoopyismydog5695]

what u want for the favorite waffle

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Not sure yet. I need to do my Griswold first before letting the Piqua go. I know that Piqua works like a charm so (I have a video making a waffle in it) but the Griswold needs to clean up without major issues. If it does, I will let you know so you can make me an offer. I would let it go cheaper than online as there would be less fees, but I do need to get my investment back and my time spent in restoring it which took a good amount of time.

[@nunyabizness199]

Um, what kind of antique store was this....🙃

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Antique mall with many booths. I can verify if you tell me where in the video the reference was made??

[@nunyabizness199]

@@ladylibertystacker2014 Oh sorry, I was refering to their pricing.. Things like that are much more expensive where I'm at...

[@ladylibertystacker2014]

Yes, many antique malls are pricey. I have some in my area that are reasonable and others are expensive. It is all in the timing and the vendor of the booth in the mall where I am if that makes sense.