Tag Archives: ornate

Antique American Gate-Marked Cast Iron Skillet – Civil War Era. Thin-Walled. 12″ × 2.5″. 4.10 lb. This is the kind of pan that reminds you why 19th-century American foundries had such a reputation for craftsmanship. Light in the hand, beautifully balanced, and cast so thin you can see the elegance of the old molds in every curve – this is a true gate-marked survivor from the mid-1800s, very likely Civil War period based on construction and handle style. Gate-marked base The long diagonal scar on the underside is the unmistakable signature of early sand-casting: the iron was poured directly through a gate into the mold. This method disappeared after the 1880s, placing this pan firmly in the mid-19th century. Beautifully thin sidewalls-rare at this size Measured next to a U. Nickel, the walls show how exceptionally fine this casting is. For a 12 pan to weigh only 4.10 lbs is unusual and highly desirable – these early skillets heat fast, respond quickly, and handle almost like carbon steel. Most 12 gate-marks are 5.5-6.5 lbs. That puts this one in the premium tier. Sits (mostly) flat on a modern stove One foot has worn slightly uneven over its 150+ years of service, and a single playing card levels it perfectly. No wobble once shimmed. For a gate-marked pan, this level of trueness is exceptional. Given the feet, one could easily re-level by removing a small amount of material on the abusing foot. No cracks, no chips, no repairs A clean, honest, healthy piece of antique cookware. Small surface level air bubble cast into the cooking surface (smooth to the touch) – see finger point pics. Cooking surface overall is silky smooth and very polished. Size & Weight. Weight: 4.10 lb. Handle: Distinct teardrop-loop design typical of 1850s-1870s regional foundries. The Story This Pan Tells. Picture a camp kitchen somewhere in the 1860s – a potbellied stove glowing orange, soldiers or settlers cooking salt pork, flapjacks, or cornbread in a pan exactly like this one. Before logos, before catalogs, before mass production, these pans were cast one at a time in small American foundries, often near river towns and rail stops supplying Union and Confederate troops alike. This skillet carries all the hallmarks of that era. Hand-finished interior with subtle tool polish. Delicate, elongated handle loop. Early four-point stabilizing feet. Dark, smooth seasoning built over generations. There’s a reason collectors prize these pieces: they are the closest thing to holding a functional artifact from the 19th century. And because it’s thin-walled and only 4.10 lbs, this is not just a display piece – it’s a genuinely superb everyday pan with the responsiveness modern cast iron can’t match. Level when shimmed with a single playing card. Seasoned, smooth, and ready to cook or display.