Hand forged vs. hand cast? If it has a gate vestige, it's cast. Cast iron is literally cast into sand molds that are created using a (wooden) pattern. I guess it's possible that a blacksmith could forge it after casting, but iron is generally too brittle for that treatment, so if you do have an early forged piece, it's probably lower carbon content steel or wrought iron. Modern cast iron ware (Lodge) is made from old brake rotors and drums.

I have my grammas deep chicken fryer with matching lid. With all the dimples you talk of. It has no markings except for size 10 and 5/8. On lid. But there is a C i side a diamond shape on bottom of actual pan. She has been gone 20 years. I am sure she had this my whole life, 75 years. It was in 100% awesome shape when l got it. I would never get rid of it, but l am so curious what it actually is. Can you take a guess?

But what if you are looking for something to cook with?

23:06  ~  "And if you ever find yourself holding something heavy, unmarked, and ugly, with a price tag that says five dollars, do what I didn't do the first time at that table in Waco.
Marry her.
She might be ugly, but she sure can cook.  (On a Griswold, hopefully.)