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Post by straekat on Mar 8, 2024 7:28:11 GMT -7
Another British made piece, posted early in this thread. Since then, I learned the "CAR" is one of the markings used by the Scottish firm of Carron, located near Falkirk in Scotland. As a bit of trivia, the iron carronades of the 18th century are named after the Carron company who first made them for the British navy.
This was probably made circa 1900-1920, most likely as an export item that could be used on open fires, or suspended above one.
The ears are rounded, and the legs have flat sides, similar to the previous Swain made pot. 1/2 gallon size.
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Post by straekat on Mar 8, 2024 7:35:38 GMT -7
This is the the last definitely British made piece I have. The ears are round, two sides of the legs are flat, and one is dished out. It was probably made before 1980, by which date British made items tended to have metric size marks, unless they were intended for export to North America. This piece is very similar to European enameled Descoware cast iron of the period.
This thread isn't done yet, There's more on the way!
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Post by straekat on Mar 11, 2024 8:48:35 GMT -7
Something a little different. This is a Portuguese cauldron, a style that's at least two hundred years old, and is still being made. It resembles a three legged ball with a tube attached for the mouth. The style dates to the 17th century in Portugal and Spain, with similar pots made for a brief period of time in the early part of the 18th century in New England, and Scotland. The one shown here look very new, with metric marks and made in Portugal on the bottom. Tyler notes that British foundries made cast iron pots intended for the export market and may have been marked as being made elsewhere. The earlier made pots of this style tend to have a wider width to height ration than this one.
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Post by straekat on Mar 11, 2024 8:53:55 GMT -7
When you look at the Portuguese pot, note the large circular ring on the bottom. This is not the result of a three-piece mold used to make the cauldrons previously shown, but is the result of modern (and Chinese made cast iron) casting methods. If you see this ring on cauldrons, it's a sign that the item was made "recently" and is most likely not 19th century or earlier.
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Post by Black Hand on Mar 20, 2024 6:53:52 GMT -7
Here is an example of a modern pot I bought. Not exactly correct but not entirely wrong - a reasonable compromise until something better comes along (not many/any period pots found in my area)  |
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Post by straekat on Mar 20, 2024 12:03:52 GMT -7
Nice job on that one!
For trekking, living history events, and for an hobby-related use, something like this is good to have and use. With original period pieces there's always the risk of dropping and cracking it, or hot/freezing thermal shock that will crack it also. These need to be cleaned and not have food or liquids left in them overnight in case temps might drop enough to freeze and crack them.
Your's is good to use and abuse, but not as an alternative item for caber-tossing or anvil-shooting. 
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990 
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Post by Keith on Mar 20, 2024 21:49:20 GMT -7
Good one Black Hand.
Keith.
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Post by straekat on Mar 22, 2024 10:25:55 GMT -7
There are several types of smaller cauldrons in the one-quart or liter range that can be found, Many of these were made as "fire-starters" for fireplaces, and were originally sold with a lid and applicator wand. Some of the the early 20th century copies are modeled from originals, and are miniature versions of period pots if they were made as three piece castings. There are still pots made for the African and Caribbean markets where cooking over open fires in rural communities. Also, there are small cast iron pots made for the Wiccan community. These pots very often have pentagrams, and other symbols on the clearly indicating they were made for ceremonial purposes and are of ent manufacture.
We'll get to some of those later in this thread, and compare some cauldrons and cast iron items similar to the one BH posted. I'll post one here in the next day or so
If there are questions or comments please don't hold back and don't be shy. I can't claim to know everything, however, I'm willing to relate what I do know, and admit what I don't. Part of what I would like to do is show examples of old (pre 1840/1850) pieces and help members who want to use cast iron for their own purposes, find reasonable copies or inexpensive originals they can use. If you spot something on ebay, etsy or elsewhere, feel free to post pictures and ask for comments.
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Post by Black Hand on Mar 23, 2024 4:17:51 GMT -7
Found on Amazon...currently $29.99  |
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Post by straekat on Mar 29, 2024 9:07:49 GMT -7
Here are several images of one currently on the market at a site I won't mention. At first blush it looks good, but on close inspection it may actually be a copy/fake. I'll post 8 images and open it up for anyone to make a guess as to what is wrong.
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Post by straekat on Mar 29, 2024 9:09:17 GMT -7
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Post by straekat on Mar 29, 2024 9:11:16 GMT -7
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Post by straekat on Mar 29, 2024 9:13:30 GMT -7
The wire bail is wrong, however (big hint) look at the last two photos of the bottom and think three piece mold on original period cauldrons....
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Post by paranger on Mar 29, 2024 14:50:57 GMT -7
The wire bail is wrong, however (big hint) look at the last two photos of the bottom and think three piece mold on original period cauldrons.... Looks like not a casting gate, but a 2 piece vertical mold. |
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Post by straekat on Mar 29, 2024 15:34:35 GMT -7
Para, I think you're close to the mark.
18th century castings were three piece molds, two on each side and the bottom was similar to a bowl. The castings lines on the sides go past the spot where a two-sided mold would meet at the bottom. Note that the lines on the two sides are parallel to and don't line up or connect with the "casting gate" on the bottom, which they would do if this was a two-sided casting.
What I suspect is going on with this one, a mold of another pot was made as a model for this one. The first pot was a two piece casting. A mold was made from it and the new mold was not cleaned up with the side marks completely removed, and a "casting sprue" mark added to the new mold to make the cauldron look older than it really is. The actual casting for this may have been from the rim down. The legs or feet look a little rough compared to the exterior elsewhere on the pot, and there doesn't appear to be any trace of internal casting seams along the rim or inside the bowl.
I could be wrong on how this was made but that's my gut take on this one.
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