{"id":5818,"date":"2026-07-24T19:05:48","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T19:05:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/?p=5818"},"modified":"2026-07-24T19:06:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T19:06:09","slug":"i-found-this-at-a-yard-sale-but-i-have-no-idea-what-it-is-thoughts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/?p=5818","title":{"rendered":"I Found this at a yard sale but I have no idea what it is. Thoughts?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"5818\" class=\"elementor elementor-5818\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-325f3e7f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"325f3e7f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ce27031 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4ce27031\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What This Antique Item Is<\/strong><br \/>The object shown is a\u00a0<strong>Griswold \u201cAmerican\u201d cast-iron flue (stovepipe) damper<\/strong>, often described as a\u00a0<strong>fireplace\/wood-stove damper turner<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0<strong>reversible damper assembly<\/strong>. It is designed to sit inside a stove pipe or flue opening and be rotated from the outside using its spindle and handle.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Common name(s):<\/strong><\/p><div class=\"code-block code-block-1\"><div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1662530\" data-uid=\"11e5d\"><div id=\"mgw1662530_11e5d\"><div><div class=\"mgbox card-media\" data-template-type=\"container\"><div id=\"8d495150-8792-11f1-815f-d404e6c03750\" class=\"mgline teaser-27341213 type-w\" data-i=\"-FqNc3PjvVwhdUifAxs6enuhkYWq8e3pz1q8HALl1LfwRkaeiT57LZT2X7Hch1rUS9X5eJlxDhgXskzThR6VjsQwNLY8g292RAAbr1c0EZiX9i4vFRBZ7HO-3WZgIvO_YBKpszRC3NifGyycT5-N3Q**\" data-observing-start=\"1784919897734\" data-observing-time=\"1173\" data-showed=\"1\"><div class=\"mgline-inner\"><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Griswold Fireplace\/Flue Damper<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Griswold Stove Pipe Damper<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Griswold \u201cAmerican\u201d Reversible Damper<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Typical size markings seen on these pieces:<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>6 IN., 7 IN., 8 IN., 9 IN.<\/strong>\u00a0(refers to the stovepipe\/flue size the damper fits)<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Who Made It<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Manufacturer:<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>Griswold Manufacturing Company<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Location:<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Company background:<\/strong>\u00a0Founded in\u00a0<strong>1865<\/strong>, Griswold became widely known for\u00a0<strong>high-quality cast-iron household products<\/strong>, especially cookware, and ultimately\u00a0<strong>closed in 1957<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>When It Was Made<\/strong><br \/>This style of damper is commonly associated with the\u00a0<strong>1930s era<\/strong>\u00a0(and closely related production years). Age clues typically come from:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The\u00a0<strong>industrial design<\/strong>\u00a0(cast-iron disk with steel spindle and spring handle)<\/li><li>The\u00a0<strong>raised lettering<\/strong>\u00a0(e.g., \u201cGRISWOLD,\u201d \u201cERIE PA U.S.A.,\u201d \u201cAMERICAN,\u201d and inch size)<\/li><li>References to being\u00a0<strong>reversible<\/strong>\u00a0and sometimes showing\u00a0<strong>patent<\/strong>\u00a0language or numbers on the face<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What It Was Used For<\/strong><br \/>A flue damper\u2019s job is to\u00a0<strong>control airflow (draft)<\/strong>\u00a0in a stove or fireplace system. By partially closing or opening the damper, the user could manage how fast the fire burned and how much heat stayed in the room.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Primary functions:<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Regulate draft:<\/strong>\u00a0Control how much air moves up the flue<\/li><li><strong>Control burn rate:<\/strong>\u00a0Slow down or increase how quickly fuel burns<\/li><li><strong>Manage heat output:<\/strong>\u00a0Help keep more heat in the living space when desired<\/li><li><strong>Reduce heat loss:<\/strong>\u00a0Limit warm air escaping up the chimney after the fire dies down<\/li><li><strong>Support safer operation:<\/strong>\u00a0Better draft control can reduce smoke backflow and improve stove performance (when used correctly)<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How the \u201cReversible\u201d Design Works<\/strong><br \/>These Griswold dampers were built with a\u00a0<strong>steel spindle<\/strong>\u00a0(the rod running through the center) and a handle assembly that could be oriented for different installations.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why \u201creversible\u201d mattered:<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Allowed the handle\/turner to be positioned for\u00a0<strong>left-side or right-side access<\/strong>, depending on how the stove pipe was installed<\/li><li>Made it easier to use in tight spaces or when the stove sat close to a wall<\/li><li>Improved practicality for different home layouts without needing a different damper model<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Materials and Construction (Key Identifiers)<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Cast-iron disk\/plate:<\/strong>\u00a0The heavy circular body with raised lettering<\/li><li><strong>Steel spindle\/rod:<\/strong>\u00a0Runs through the center, used to rotate the damper<\/li><li><strong>Spring-style handle\/turner:<\/strong>\u00a0Helps grip and turn the spindle; may also provide tension and control<\/li><li><strong>Cutout openings in the plate:<\/strong>\u00a0Allow partial airflow even when rotated toward a more \u201cclosed\u201d position (design varies)<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Markings You May See (From the Item Itself)<\/strong><br \/>Depending on the exact size and version, examples of raised text include:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>\u201cGRISWOLD\u201d<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>\u201cERIE PA U.S.A.\u201d<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>\u201cAMERICAN\u201d<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>\u201cREVERSIBLE\u201d<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>\u201cSTEEL SPINDLE\u201d<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Size marking:<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>\u201c6 IN.\u201d \/ \u201c7 IN.\u201d \/ \u201c8 IN.\u201d \/ \u201c9 IN.\u201d<\/strong><\/li><li>Some versions also show\u00a0<strong>patent wording or numbers<\/strong>\u00a0cast into the face<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why Collectors Care<\/strong><br \/>Griswold items are sought after because the company developed a reputation for\u00a0<strong>durable cast-iron products<\/strong>\u00a0with distinctive branding and consistent quality. Even utilitarian parts like dampers appeal to collectors who focus on:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Early American home-heating hardware<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Griswold-branded cast iron beyond cookware<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Industrial design and original surface patina<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Quick Identification Checklist<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>A\u00a0<strong>round cast-iron plate<\/strong>\u00a0with\u00a0<strong>raised Griswold lettering<\/strong><\/li><li>A center\u00a0<strong>steel spindle<\/strong>\u00a0that passes through the plate<\/li><li>A\u00a0<strong>spring handle\/turner<\/strong>\u00a0at one end of the spindle<\/li><li>The word\u00a0<strong>\u201cAMERICAN\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0and a stamped\/cast\u00a0<strong>inch size<\/strong><\/li><li>Often includes\u00a0<strong>\u201cREVERSIBLE\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0and\/or\u00a0<strong>\u201cSTEEL SPINDLE\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0on the face<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In One Sentence<\/strong><br \/>The\u00a0<strong>1930s Griswold \u201cAmerican\u201d reversible flue damper<\/strong>\u00a0is a\u00a0<strong>cast-iron draft-control device<\/strong>\u00a0made by\u00a0<strong>Griswold Manufacturing Co. of Erie, Pennsylvania<\/strong>, used to\u00a0<strong>adjust airflow and heat efficiency<\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a0<strong>wood stoves and fireplace flues<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What This Antique Item IsThe object shown is a\u00a0Griswold \u201cAmerican\u201d cast-iron flue (stovepipe) damper, often described as a\u00a0fireplace\/wood-stove damper turner\u00a0or\u00a0reversible damper assembly. It is designed to sit inside a stove pipe or flue opening and be rotated from the outside using its spindle and handle. Common name(s): Griswold Fireplace\/Flue Damper Griswold Stove Pipe Damper Griswold [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5819,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5818","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/i-found-this-at-a-yard-sale-but-i-have-no-idea-what-it-is-thoughts-1-780x470-1.jpg",780,470,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/i-found-this-at-a-yard-sale-but-i-have-no-idea-what-it-is-thoughts-1-780x470-1-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/i-found-this-at-a-yard-sale-but-i-have-no-idea-what-it-is-thoughts-1-780x470-1-300x181.jpg",300,181,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/i-found-this-at-a-yard-sale-but-i-have-no-idea-what-it-is-thoughts-1-780x470-1-768x463.jpg",640,386,true],"large":["https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/i-found-this-at-a-yard-sale-but-i-have-no-idea-what-it-is-thoughts-1-780x470-1.jpg",640,386,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/i-found-this-at-a-yard-sale-but-i-have-no-idea-what-it-is-thoughts-1-780x470-1.jpg",780,470,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/i-found-this-at-a-yard-sale-but-i-have-no-idea-what-it-is-thoughts-1-780x470-1.jpg",780,470,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Daily Life Updates","author_link":"https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/?author=1"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"What This Antique Item IsThe object shown is a\u00a0Griswold \u201cAmerican\u201d cast-iron flue (stovepipe) damper, often described as a\u00a0fireplace\/wood-stove damper turner\u00a0or\u00a0reversible damper assembly. It is designed to sit inside a stove pipe or flue opening and be rotated from the outside using its spindle and handle. Common name(s): Griswold Fireplace\/Flue Damper Griswold Stove Pipe Damper Griswold&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5818","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5818"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5818\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5823,"href":"https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5818\/revisions\/5823"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5819"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailylifeupdates.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}