Question:
We are wondering what you can tell us about this 12 gallon crock. Appears to be Red Wing with 4 1/8" wing, definitely under the glaze by my knife test. Stamped "Patented Dec. 21st, 1915 just to the right of left handle. Good condition with no cracks, handles intact. However, there is no evidence of the typical makers mark, just smooth, unblemished glaze under the wing. Any ideas about the missing mark? Brenda

Answer: Brenda, there is no reason for the missing oval other than the old theory that crocks missing the ovals were sold to Sears & Roebuck for resale. Without the oval one may think that Sears & Roebuck were the potters. This is the only theory I have heard on crocks that were missing their ovals. Al Kohlman