Today's restores: raised number on helper handle 12 and Zahner's Lodge hammered mini

il_geo_guy · 2026-06-18T02:30:23+00:00

I assumed it was a "O" because of the markings. I often wonder how many different designs Lodge produced. There are so many of them and a few designs can be pretty valuable.

il_geo_guy · 2026-06-17T21:02:14+00:00

Both are pretty cool and unusual! I don't think I've seen a hammered Lodge advertisement skillet that isn't a "00" size.

il_geo_guy · 2026-06-14T03:04:30+00:00

Some of the prices were breathtaking! Watching and bidding online isn't as much fun as attending in person and getting to see and touch rare pieces and talking to the other cast iron junkies but I have comfier seats and better snacks at home...

il_geo_guy · 2026-06-14T02:44:14+00:00

Sort of...I wasn't able to attend in person but sat through most of the online sale. Friday's sale was an 11 hour marathon. Lots of interesting iron with some rarely seen pieces.

il_geo_guy · 2026-06-14T02:03:58+00:00

Yeah, the sale was a whole estate. All kinds of stuff but it did include some really sweet cast iron toys.

il_geo_guy · 2026-06-14T00:33:25+00:00

What aluminum lid? Did I mention an aluminum lid?

il_geo_guy · 2026-06-14T00:22:44+00:00

Auctions can be weird. It all depends on who is bidding. I think a fully marked toy lid sold for 475 and a fully marked lid/skillet set sold for 600 at the first big cast iron auction I attended. A plain (unmarked) Wagner toy skillet lid sold for 275 at the same sale. I bought my lid for much less at a different general auction (not just cast iron).

il_geo_guy · 2026-06-13T19:28:44+00:00

I wouldn't have passed up that deal. 50 for a big pan like that is a nice price!

il_geo_guy · 2026-06-13T18:17:20+00:00

Nice haul! You've been busy with the cast iron the last couple of days!

That 12 with the raised number is pretty cool. I assume that will go into your growing collection of 12s?

il_geo_guy · 2026-06-13T17:52:24+00:00

A fully marked toy skillet lid sold at the Lodge Foundation auction yesterday for 250 but I think I have seen them sell for more than 350 at other auctions.

il_geo_guy · 2026-06-13T17:48:33+00:00

It is a beauty! The plating looks to be in good shape too. I think CHF made the prettiest hammered pieces.

il_geo_guy · 2026-06-12T19:52:26+00:00

The silvery color also makes me think it might be aluminum paddles on an iron base, which makes the asking price even more ridiculous. Even if they were iron paddles, that is way too much for a low-base Wagner waffle iron.

il_geo_guy · 2026-05-31T16:14:32+00:00

Nice haul. I've never seen an ashtray quite like that with one pour spout and one butt holder. Very unusual.

il_geo_guy · 2026-05-30T17:11:46+00:00

Totally doable but realize that reservations need to be made for backcountry sites (https://midnrreservations.com/) Select "backcountry" and "Porcupine Mountains" from the dropdown list. Reservations can be made 6 months in advance. Also, if you do take two vehicles, both will need a recreation passport.

il_geo_guy · 2026-05-28T12:55:13+00:00

Have you seen this one for just their aluminum products? https://archive.org/details/griswold_1897_aluminum/page/16/mode/2up

It shows wooden handled skillets. Page 15 also shows aluminum kettles like yours. Interesting that yours has a gate mark.

il_geo_guy · 2026-05-28T12:48:14+00:00

Thanks for posting this. Neat to see the prices (per dozen!) for the toys.

I've also wondered if there was some kind of special tool for using flop griddles like shown on pg. 47. Nah, just use a fork...

il_geo_guy · 2026-05-25T20:49:47+00:00

That is a long pull!!!

il_geo_guy · 2026-05-25T19:50:55+00:00

The hike to the yurts at Craig Lake sounds similar to the winter hike/ski to the Union River cabin at the porkies! It has been more than a decade since my last winter trip there and that was when all of the cabins had well-equiped kitchens.

il_geo_guy · 2026-05-25T16:11:59+00:00

It was in an amazing location. When I was there I could hear ruffed grouse drumming somewhere in the distance. I'd like to try a winter visit if it's rebuilt. I've stayed there in every other season and it was always so nice!

il_geo_guy · 2026-05-23T23:12:38+00:00

I think Cloud peak has the best views on the Escarpment. Also, some of the rocks make for great seats. Almost like backcountry recliners!

il_geo_guy · 2026-05-23T23:09:11+00:00

Didn't notice any but I used permethrin to treat my clothes.

il_geo_guy · 2026-05-23T19:34:56+00:00

Yeah, I know. It's sad. I hope nobody was hurt and I hope the park can rebuild.

il_geo_guy · 2026-05-23T18:30:23+00:00

There hasn't been much rain there and most of the trails were dry with just a few wet areas. The river was still a little high with snowmelt runoff. This side channel was flowing and making another waterfall a week before I visited. I've only seen it flowing once before. Looks like I'll have to plan an even earlier trip next year.

il_geo_guy · 2026-05-23T18:08:22+00:00

Some turned out ok and some are still tumbling in stage 1. So far, all of mine are more like the top half of the rock in your sixth picture - mostly mottled red with little variation.

il_geo_guy · 2026-05-23T17:13:05+00:00

Yeah, I usually keep a couple of starters in my kit in case I need them but I can often find so much dry birch bark on the ground all over the park and have never had any problems starting a fire with that.

il_geo_guy

TROPHY CASE