How can I tell the difference between a piece of old cast iron and a fake?

Tenessee reader asks: I have a lot of cast iron that was left to me by my grandfather who collected it. I know that most of it is real, but some of it is probably fake. How can I tell the difference?

There are banks, fry pans, doorstops and more.

(The bank below is a modern reporduction, note the Phillips screw in the
back of head)

AW says: There are a lot of complications, however, it’s easier to confirm a negative than it is a positive, so here are just a few tips:

• If an item has a “Phillips head screw in it, it’s likely a fake or a modern piece.
• Fake doorstops were painted on the back, in general, originals were not.
• If you see heavily burnished seams, this was done by a automatic machine and the item is new or a fake.
• Watch out for bright paint, or repaints. A repainted item can lose up to 90% of it’s value.
• In general, old cast iron will have a very smooth and dense texture and will be heavier than the new. The newer cast iron tends to be more porous.

Read more on cast iron.

Comments

[dib127]

invitation to Jfks inaugeration how much is it worth and how much for a signature