"Stu" wrote

> So I'm debating about buying a cast iron skillet circa 1880 from a
> fellow in ontario (my first).

Stu, enjoy it if you want the history of it. If wondering on cost, the
modern ones work just as well. Afterall, cast iron is pretty much the same
critter from the iron age to now.

I have some pieces i have no way to know the age of, some I got new, and
some 'reputed' to be of a particular age. They all work the same.