Gate Marked Cast Iron Dutch Oven - Cracked

I bought a gate mark cast iron Dutch oven and while cleaning the rust off and I discovered a crack down the side that goes from the top 2 about four and a half inches. It's not big but it Weeps water when filled.

Is it worthless?

 

Do you want to just use it or sell it?

 

Sell it

 

A planter only

 

Then I don't know. It could be welded but may not be worth it if selling.
You couldn't cook with it if you used any glue/fusing materials though there may be something safe out there. You'd have to check the net and be sure.

 

I have a dumb question but . . .

on a cast iron item, could a person tell by "thumping" with a finger (or something else, maybe even a small metal "something else") whether there is a crack in an item even if the crack is not readily seen??? Just curious.

 

I should think so...

 

Thanks, KingofThings, I "think" so too. And "thumping" on cast iron almost certainly wouldn't harm it.

 

Huh, I have been cleaning the lid that came with it. It fit perfect...

The rust and mud was so thick on it I didn't know any better..
Soaked it in vinegar, cleaned with a wire cup then scrubbed more with a wire brush...
Turns out the top is a Griswold No.8 self basting lid..
I believe from the 1920-1940s period if I'm looking at the trademarks carefully.
Sounds about right anyways. The man said his family bought the 40 acres right after WWII.
I got a early lodge chicken fryer with the lid, the gate marked dutch oven and this griswold lid.
This is also the place I bought the Green Stamps sign.

The man said he's never been in the smoke house and it's been locked up since they've bought it, but said if I can fight my way back there I can go through it, if it's even got anything in it.
Ummmm, yeah! If this is any indication on what's "laying around"

 

Tapping it with a block of hard wood should do it too.
If it's filthy with dirt/mud this option is likely moot.

 

This reminds me of when we had hardwood floors put in and the floor guys moved the oven , where I had stuck my moms cast iron dutch oven ( that she had for 50 years , and was old when she was given it ) and they tilted it to move it and it fell out and cracked ! My mother was inconsolable . That darn pot made the BEST food ever after decades of seasoning ! I swear her beans just don't taste the same now .

 

Hi Johnny,
I know what you mean. I have an old Dutch oven and my FIL goes crazy when I make glazed carrots in it. He swears that they taste just like his grandmothers did when he was a child. My cast iron is never washed, just wiped out and sprinkled with salt and wiped out with paper towels. I had one skillet that a good friend washed with soap and water and a Brillo pad!!! I tried seasoning it for a year, it still burned in areas and I ended up selling it.
greg