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Post by hawkeyes on Feb 7, 2022 19:30:09 GMT -7
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coot
City-dweller
Posts: 152
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Post by coot on Feb 7, 2022 20:26:26 GMT -7
Based on what I have read, the presence of the gate mark on the bottom of the kettle would suggest that it was cast between the mid 1750s and the mid 1870s. Earlier castings typically have a round sprue mark and by the late 19th c casting techniques advanced to the point where there was no pour markings. Nice find!
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Post by spence on Feb 7, 2022 22:05:46 GMT -7
Excellent find, Hawkeyes. And with a top, to boot. I'm jealous, never saw one like that.. I have one very similar that I found in a small antique shop a few decades ago. Mine doesn't have a bale or top, just ears. A while after I found it I found a pot lifter for pots without bales, and it works very well. Mine is 7" wide, 6" high. How big is yours? I cooked a stew or two in the fireplace with mine when I first got it, but haven't fiddled with it for many years. You may get me cooking again. Spence
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Post by hawkeyes on Feb 8, 2022 4:02:01 GMT -7
Thank you gentlemen, I'm overjoyed at this particular find! Having such an old piece in it's condition is a testimony to crafting pieces to last. Who knows were the piece has been through the years and who it's fed!
Spence I'll certainly get dimensions today when I clean ole girl up. I'd reckon it's very similar dimension wise to yours. To my eye it looks to hold around a gallon. Feel like a kid at Christmas, can't wait to make a pot of bear chili over the woodstove. Been saving my last supply of bear meat for a special occasion, here it be!
Also, hopefully you get those cooking juices going! Report back in once you get a good meal a going in that cauldron.
I just think about how many people passed by this piece without giving any thought or care to it. Things like this are just absolutely fascinating. The story's it could tell, the things it's heard round the hearth, the people it's seen... Pieces such as this are just priceless and precious.
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Post by paranger on Feb 8, 2022 4:41:14 GMT -7
Nice find indeed, Hawkeyes. As Coot said, the casting gate makes it post 1750 or so, but as I recall, those "pointy" ears (as opposed to the more rounded version) are likely 18th century.
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Post by hawkeyes on Feb 8, 2022 7:18:35 GMT -7
Nice find indeed, Hawkeyes. As Coot said, the casting gate makes it post 1750 or so, but as I recall, those "pointy" ears (as opposed to the more rounded version) are likely 18th century. Excellent, I figured around 1750 would likely be a safe bet. Currently it's bathing in a bucket of white vinager and salt. This brings me to my next conundrum... At what point will the cleanup stage be sufficient? Obviously have no intention of using any destructive methods or concoctions. I've never dealt with a piece this size in terms of cleanup or rust removal. Within logical reasoning what is suitable?
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Post by Black Hand on Feb 8, 2022 9:08:20 GMT -7
Give it a good scrub after the vinegar/salt bath and it might be enough. Alternately, you could try electrolysis - lots of videos on Youtube and it can be accomplished with what you likely have already (battery charger, electrical wire, iron plate(s)/piece(s) of rebar, sodium carbonate).
Once cleaned and rinsed, allow to dry then season.
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Post by hawkeyes on Feb 8, 2022 9:16:02 GMT -7
Give it a good scrub after the vinegar/salt bath and it might be enough. Alternately, you could try electrolysis - lots of videos on Youtube and it can be accomplished with what you likely have already (battery charger, electrical wire, iron plate(s)/piece(s) of rebar, sodium carbonate). Once cleaned and rinsed, allow to dry then season. Ya I thought about electrolysis but will probably forgo doing that. I made a setup years ago for surplus bores, worked excellent. Had a Yugoslavian mauser that had a sewer pipe bore beyond repair I thought. The electro bath did wonders. I'm guessing the vinager and salt accompanied by some good old elbow scrubbing should do fine. Little rust won't hurt, everyone needs iron anyways!
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Post by Black Hand on Feb 8, 2022 9:20:38 GMT -7
A wire cup in an angle grinder saves your elbow and shoulder...
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Post by hawkeyes on Feb 8, 2022 11:18:28 GMT -7
A wire cup in an angle grinder saves your elbow and shoulder... Thought about that, have a few laying around. I will be honest, I'm apprehensive on taking the skin eater to it...
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Post by Black Hand on Feb 8, 2022 11:29:24 GMT -7
Your call - I've done this to my cast-iron fry pans with no ill effect.
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Post by hawkeyes on Feb 8, 2022 12:11:19 GMT -7
Well, here is the difference in just the lid... A 270 year old piece! Unbelievable, wish ya'll could see the fine hammering marks and rolls from were they must have used a swege of sorts to shape and roll the lip. Unbelievable difference from just soaking in a vinager and salt solution to a scrub down with scouring pads. photoupload
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Post by hawkeyes on Feb 8, 2022 12:35:53 GMT -7
Well... She cleaned up unbelievably well. Unfortunately, there's a hairline crack all the way through that extends about halfway down the body. With all the rusting that crack was apparently invisible. Not sure that's an area that can be fixed which ultimately has now rendered her unfit for cooking purposes. Reckon there will be other uses for it, but it's a bummer! However, I'm positive I can drill a stop hole below the crack and braze it, may just make it happen.
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Post by Black Hand on Feb 8, 2022 13:04:47 GMT -7
That's a drag. Since you want to use it and in its current state, the cauldron is useless - you could weld it. I know...GASP....!!!!! Burn me as a heretic. I'd rather give it a new life than let it languish as a pot for flowers (or worse).
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Post by hawkeyes on Feb 8, 2022 14:08:11 GMT -7
Oh I'm all for a functional repair. Problem is the spot and given it's round I'm worried about the stress of the repair with expansion and contraction. Honestly... I may try and use it and see how she goes, which it may be okay... It doesn't leak which is good. Tough spot to be in... So excited then you get shot down! None the less, I'm thrilled to have such an old piece of history.
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