sheet metal frying pans

[Johnny Lloyd]

I did a search for this on here, but I think the information was somehow lost:

Is there anything other than this article: http://www.140thny.org/freshfish/fryingpans.html regarding sheet metal frying pans being period/non-period? I can't seem to narrow-down any threads that discuss this on here. Looking specifically for designs that were pre-/postwar as well as patents that might have been period.

Thanks for the research help- JLLO

[rpierson]

Re: sheet metal frying pans

If by "sheet-metal frying pans" you mean a sheet-metal pan body with a solid steel handle riveted in place; then yes, I'm fairly certain they were around during the mid 19th Cent.

Here is just one example from Jim Mayo's wonderful site:


"Lucky was the soldier who had a small fry pan or a mess mate with one so that raw ration meat could be cooked when on the march. The label on this pan reads "Carried through the Civil War 1861-65 in General Grants Army of the Potomac, by James Warren Williams, 126th Reg't Company C, O.V.I. Enlisted at Columbus, OH at 19 years old, Discharged 1865." Compliments of John Fable."

I seem to recall a few showing up in Lord's Encyclopedia as well, but I don't have it in front of me to verify.

Now, if you're referring to a one piece sheet-metal pan +handle with a pressed reinforcement of the handle, like this:


...I haven't ever seen one of those in a book or museum being described as from the period.

You might also contact the White Oak Museum in VA on this subject.

Hope this helps,
Randall Pierson

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: sheet metal frying pans

Thanks, Randall. This is the kind of research I was looking for. Keep it up. The question is are 1-piece sheet metal pans period-correct... sounds to me no, but who knows if pans could have existed then. A patent date would be helpful... this is kind of like the jar and packaging issue. Just when you think it didn't exist, then you find proof that it did in the unlikeliest of places.

[rbruno]

Re: sheet metal frying pans

Weren't there a bunch of pans on the steamship Arabia wreck? I thought I remember seeing some examples there.

[Pritchett Ball]

Re: sheet metal frying pans

Look at the top of the image (IMG_4580W.JPG) Matt posted (post #56) on the Arabia thread...

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?17583-Steamboat-Arabia-Everything-you-want-to-know!/page6&highlight=Arabia

You will see a bunch of what looks like sheet metal pans with riveted handles on them.

I found it not too difficult to make and rivet a replacement handle for a one-piece pan bought at a sutler. The attached photo shows the re-worked pan I did for a friend.

Kevin Dally
PS. oops, not sure why I got 2 pics loaded!

[Paul L Muller]

Re: sheet metal frying pans

I have a book on Rev. war items and sheet iron fry pans are featured. Some have spider legs , some don't, point is that sheet iron fry pans have been around a long time. I have thought of making a few and riviting on handles , but have not gotten the motivation as yet. "Collectr's Illustrated Encyclpedia of the American Revolution" by George C. Neumann plm

[cavscout148]

Re: sheet metal frying pans

Kevin,
Do you have any guidance on the "not to difficult" replacement handle? I have a nice pan I found among my fathers items, but the handle needs the upgrade. Would like to make this the winter project, if it is possible for someone with little knowledge of these sorts to make happen?

[Hank Trent]

Re: sheet metal frying pans

As I recall, in an older thread which may have been lost by now, someone mentioned that period frying pans didn't have the slight pouring spout (the shallow V indentation) on one side, that one sees on modern pans. Anyone have comments on that? My old pan, which is otherwise a good reproduction, has the spout, and I'm hoping it'll burn through, get lost, or something so I can justify replacing it. But I'm curious if that's true and if so, anyone getting a new reproduction might want to avoid the spout.

Anyone seen the spout on an original?

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: sheet metal frying pans

Kevin,
Do you have any guidance on the "not to difficult" replacement handle? I have a nice pan I found among my fathers items, but the handle needs the upgrade. Would like to make this the winter project, if it is possible for someone with little knowledge of these sorts to make happen?

Talk to Lewis Robinson of the Armory Guard on here. He is doing this for me for 2 frying pans.

The unibody frying pan is called a "cold handle" frying pan and is postwar, but many skinner-row sutlers sell them.

[Prodical Reb]

Re: sheet metal frying pans

Johnny,
here is a folding handle frying pan that is on display at Bennett Place in NC. If you look carefully there is a tab that the ring clips to opposite the handle. Hope this helps!

[Lewis Robinson]

Re: sheet metal frying pans

The earliest patent date that I could fine on the "cool/cold handle" skillets is November of 1876.

[Daniel]

Re: sheet metal frying pans

The correct frying pan in the Watchdog article looks exactly like the frying pans that Gary Pierce of Mississippi made in the late 1980's.

Dan Stewart

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: sheet metal frying pans

Thanks for the references. Obviously, the unibody "cold handle" frying pan is postwar. Don't know about the with/without spout-thing being postwar, though.

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: sheet metal frying pans

Johnny, here's a late-war patent for something that looks quite a bit like a 20th century mess kit: http://www.google.com/patents?id=RR4...page&q&f=false

...and check out the frying pan portion of the Blakeslee mess kit: http://www.google.com/patents?id=mig...A46210&f=false

[lukegilly13]

Re: sheet metal frying pans

Hey Johnny, not sure you're looking for pictures of period originals...but here's one just in case: See bottom right hand corner


There is a thread on here somewhere (Hank will be of more help i'm sure) comparing frying pans to skillets. It may have been shut down or something for "my granny said" comments but I remember reading several really well documented posts from Hank about the pour spout and the shape making it differ from a pan to skillet. It may prove helpful in your search.

This is it: http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...ry+pan+skillet