I was very excited to win this skillet last week in an online auction. I was so excited, I didn't take any "before" pictures and started the restoration process. It was dirty and dusty and had some very light rust. Brushed off the loose rust and dirt and gave it an overnight soak in the lye tank. While scrubbing it up, I noticed that the light rust seemed to be coming off pretty easily so used some Bar Keepers Friend and gave it a thorough scouring. Rinsed it, dried it, and gave it three rounds of seasoning using soybean oil.
This skillet has some casting flaws on both the cooking surface and back but is in pretty great condition. It is interesting that there is no size number on the skillet but it is just over 9 inches in diameter rim to rim and the heat ring is just under 7 inches in diameter. Maybe it is a #7? I really like the handle design (kind of fancy-ish) and the single angular left-handed pour spout.
The history of G. F. Filley manufacturing isn't well documented but this skillet was probably made in the late 1800s. This is the first G. F. Filley skillet I've ever seen in person and they are very uncommon. Their gem pans and waffle irons are somewhat easier to find but still pretty uncommon.