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RR-026 · Cast iron restoration record

Assessing pitting on an early unmarked No. 5 skillet

This probable early unmarked Wagner No. 5 separates removable rust and buildup from permanent metal loss—and shows why bare-iron inspection is essential.

Form · No. 5 skillet, probable early unmarked Wagner

Pitted cooking surface of an early unmarked No. 5 cast-iron skillet
Exact inventory piece · Documented before treatment so the starting condition remains part of the record.

The piece and its question

Which marks are surface contamination, and which are permanent changes to the casting?

The current images show visible texture beneath old residue. A matched bare-iron view and a final seasoned view will be added after treatment, making the permanent metal loss easier to distinguish from removable material.

What the iron shows

  • Moderate-to-heavy texture is visible on the cooking surface.
  • Old residue can disguise the depth and extent of pitting.
  • Restoration can remove corrosion products but cannot replace lost iron.
  • Usability depends on the cleaned surface, structural condition, and intended use—not appearance alone.

Learn from the piece

Related field notes

What pitting means—and what restoration cannot undoHow to photograph cast iron for identification

Continue with Rundstrom

From evidence to action

Request restoration for your piece Read the restoration standard