Semi-Key IH, CW Relics, WAGNER Cast Iron Skillet, Thimbles...

[BuckleBoy]

Hello All,

I went out yesterday with Rodeo Recon to a spot I'd been waiting to hunt for a while. We got permission in the morning and then got on the site. It was Beautiful outside--thee rain had just passed, and the weather was moody. I found myself taking photos of the scenery more than the finds coming out of the ground, so I'll include a few of those here:









We found our sites pretty quickly--since they were both obvious. One even had a well. Rodeo stuck his head down in the well and made a Great find by pulling out a Wagner 8-inch, cast iron Skillet. It's in good enough shape to be reconditioned, I'm pretty sure. Here's a photo of it, and a photo of the maker's stamp on the back.





We jumped into the digging--and didn't come close to working the site out. I got in a nice button patch and dug several flat ones, a 1910 wheat, and also an 1870 IH. This is a semi-key--and even though its patina is flaky, and it is a little crusty I think it's a good find. Here are some photos of the coin coming up, the coin after cleaning, and the coolest button I found:









After a few more finds--including a cool little ship that Rodeo found (photos of it appear in the first reply below)--we started digging old brass thimbles and harmonica reed plates. I think four thimbles is a record from any site I've hunted. I also found a Monster harmonica reed plate.

Here's a photo or two of Rodeo playing in the dirt:

 

[BuckleBoy]

Re: Semi-Key IH, CW Relics, WAGNERCast Iron Skillet, Thimbles...

I got into an interesting patch of finds--melted lead, iron, and a few bits of brass. Then I managed to flip ANOTHER scabbard tip out of the ground! Yes, that's two in one week. I was pleased that the finial was attached to it. Here are two photos--V nickel is for size reference only:





Next thing I dug was a CW knapsack hook! Meanwhile Rodeo got an interesting find--it is a parasol clip with part of the wooden dowel still running through it. Pretty cool find!



We pounded the site for a bit more, digging a suspender clip, more harmonica reed plates (broken pieces of Six different harmonicas), clock pieces, and I also dug the oval part of a big brass skeleton key (the "business end" of the key is completely gone).

Here's a photo of the little warship Rodeo found. The ship is a Crackerjack prize from the 1920's.





And here are photos of all of our finds, before and after cleaning. (With the exception of the Skillet) Our totals for the day:

A CW-Era Scabbard Tip,
A CW Knapsack Hook,
1870 Indian Head Cent,
1910 Wheatie,
Wagner 8-inch Cast Iron Skillet,
Small (Toy?) Ship,
a Great Seal cuff button,
a suspender clip,
Three flat buttons,
part of a brass skeleton key,
FOUR brass thimbles,
Two parasol clips,
Harmonica reed plates,

and bits...









Best Wishes to you on ALL your hunts from the IRON Brigade

 

[Mackaydon]

BB:
That Wagner Skillet was made in Sidney, Ohio.

 

[watercolor]

Great hunt you two! Nice images and variety of relics
Very nice scabbard tip & parasol by the way

Not too many fields near where I live in IL. . . just forest preserves

That pot-metal ship you recovered I believe is a Cracker Jack prize,
I recovered one just like from the woods this summer. . . very neat.

I seem to recall "ride3" (Shark Pit) had a nice selection of various CJ prizes and ID links.

Have fun & good hunting!
watercolor

 

[BuckleBoy]

BB:
That Wagner Skillet was made in Sidney, Ohio.

Thanks for the reply, Mackaydon.

Any idea on the age of the skillet?


-Buckles

 

[Mackaydon]

BB:
First guess on that skillet's age: Between 1900 and 1925. I believe those skillets were numbered and that might yield a tighter (and more accurate) date. Any number anywhere under the Wagner mark?

 

[BuckleBoy]

Great hunt you two! Nice images and variety of relics
Very nice scabbard tip & parasol by the way

Not too many fields near where I live in IL. . . just forest preserves

That pot-metal ship you recovered I believe is a Cracker Jack prize,
I recovered one just like from the woods this summer. . . very neat.

I seem to recall "ride3" (Shark Pit) had a nice selection of various CJ prizes and ID links.

Have fun & good hunting!
watercolor

Nice call on the Cracker Jack prize! 1920's. Thank you!

 

[BuckleBoy]

BB:
First guess on that skillet's age: Between 1900 and 1925. I believe those skillets were numbered and that might yield a tighter (and more accurate) date. Any number anywhere under the Wagner mark?

Yes there was--it was faint. The skillet is now at Rodeo's house. I think it had a "9"--but not sure if there were more numbers. How many numbers were there typically below the maker's mark--was it a serial number, or date?


-BB

 

[Mackaydon]

Wagner Manufacturing Company history (makers of your skillet):

"It is interesting to note that although Wagner Manufacturing Company would later gain international fame for its cast iron cookware, Philip Smith was also in the cookware industry in Sidney, Ohio, at an early date. He founded the Sidney Hollow Ware Co. in 1886. Wagner eventually bought out Smith's business in 1897. Smith retired in 1907 after almost half a century as a business and community leader.

John Loughlin's school desk carried the name of Sidney around the country, but cookware from Sidney put Sidney 'on the map' for good. The business began as a partnership between several of Mathias Wagner's sons in the early 1880s. Wagner Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1891, with the principal owners being Bernard, Milton, Louis, and William Wagner. They decided that every product made would be cast with the name of their town on the back of the product.

Early advertising stated, "We do not strive to manufacture hollow ware as cheaply as possible, but as good as it can be made. We cannot afford to put on the market ware that will not sustain our reputation. The name ‘Wagner’ is cast on the bottom of each piece of ware."

Wagner became a major player in the cast iron and aluminum market in this country over the next half century. Much of its product was sold in Europe as well. Over the years, the company manufactured not only cookware, but a vast array of other metal products such as furnace grates, feed troughs, rubbish burners, kettles, and chemists' mortars.

Cookware, however, became Wagner's claim to fame. Wagner pioneered the use of cast aluminum cookware in 1894. The company won numerous first place awards in international competitions. Its national market share reached 60% at one time. It is now the oldest continuously operating manufacturer of cookware in the country. In 1997, the Historical Society and Wagner erected a plaque commemorating the company’s success in the cookware industry. It can be seen at Wagner’s office building on 440 Fair Road. The plaque is fastened to the building. It is located near the front door/entrance."

Source:http://www.shelbycountyhistory.org/schs/industry/cookware.htm

 

[Mackaydon]

BB:
Also look for a number on the handle.

 

[BuckleBoy]

BB:
Also look for a number on the handle.

I sent Rodeo a PM--hopefully he'll reply to this thread.


It is GREAT to find a relic that will do more than just sit in a display case. After all of the sanding, seasoning, and re-seasoning that first batch of skillet cornbread will taste good!


-Buckles

 

[Monty]

Have the skillet sandblasted. Then grease it down good with Crisco or some other oil or fat and "burn" it in the oven for about 40 minutes at 500 degrees and it will look like a new one. Monty

 

[BuckleBoy]

Have the skillet sandblasted.  Then grease it down good with Crisco or some other oil or fat and "burn" it in the oven for about 40 minutes at 500 degrees and it will look like a new one.  Monty

Thanks, Monty. 

It'll be cool to see once it's sanded and re-seasoned.    I think Rodeo had perhaps the best find with that skillet--and he found it within the first five minutes of being on the site. 

 

[Mackaydon]

BB:
Wagner started in 1891 and not until 1999 was the foundry closed. No doubt a lot of history on that company is available in an archive if not found online.

 

[fortbball9]

A lot of really nice finds.Congrats
A very nice looking Injun

fortbball9

 

[Goes4ever]

cool digs, gotta love the 1870 IH no matter the shape.

 

[creeper71]

That skillet is awesome!!!!

 

[xlt nh]

Great finds....never found an intact skillet before...cool! Congrats on the tip and IH....hopefully the site will produce more goodies.

HH, Hank 8)

 

[collector01]

Congrats on a great day of detecting you found some nice relics, keep up the great work! HH!

 

[kieser sousa/rip]

Hi BB,cool finds as usual. I found a wagner skillet awile back and reconditioned it and use it all the time.When RR's was found was it hanging on a wire in the well ? Whatup with that ? If this is so I'd be cheaking that well out abit closer. Could be there's more than the pan down that well.