forums.insulators.info

Hi Chris:
I did not see a pic of the item you found, but based on your comment about a wood covered insulator, I'm going to throw out the idea of your glass item being a Wade threadless of some sort.
The 724.3 comes in a dark olive glass.
A pic would help if you have one.
Robin

The original post:

cdnbeehive
What is this thing? << October 11, 2009, 09:16:09 pm >>
Hi all.

While out probing along a very old line in the area I came across what appeared to be a broken bottleneck. I cleaned it up hoping it might be a guy wire strain or something, but I suspect it is not. I'm guessing it may be part of an older type of insulator where wood was used on the outside. The line was constructed between 1852 and 1854. The glass is crude, has bubbles and junk, and is an oliver amber colour with some swirls. Anybody know what this is?

Chris

Robin,

It is most certainly a cylindrical glass block insulator. it is extremely similar to the CD1010 through CD1015 insulator, yet at the same time, I beleive I have discovered the first of it's kind. It is not close enough to any existing CD to be considered one. I have dated it to 1854 or 1855 which puts it smack dab in the right era for these. I am unable to find more of it, but I have a complete enough section to make a very accurate reproduction of what the whole thing probably looked like. I was considering making a wax replica. I submitted a scale drawing to Bill Meier as a pdf. I'll try to post it tomorrow when I am at work.

I'd like to know if this is truly a one of a kind insulator. What might the value of such an insulator be, even if about 50% is missing?

Here are a few pictures showing the colour. In my next post I will show dimension shots.

Chris

Here are some pictures showing the dimensions...

And finally I have it next to some case gin bottles and an emerald green battery rest.

WHat colour would best fit this find?

Hi Chris:
Thanks for the pics.
Sorry I can't help you with that item. I don't think I've ever seen a thing like that before.
Maybe some other long time diggers would be able to help ID it for you.
Robin

Here are more pictures after I filled in the missing parts with candle wax (temporarily, of course)...

Hi Chris:
Neat wax job there.
I find you're rulers a bit confusing. I thought the thing was 4" across.
I think you have a cd1013 there. It is listed as being found in yellow green glass, and that would fit with your example. I would be interested in knowing what town is near by the location your dug this piece. Was it found in Ontario? Was it found on a RR right of way?
Neat find!
Robin

Robin,

It is 3" long, 2" across at the top flange, and 1 5/8" across at the base. It has a slight taper from end to end, which makes it different from a CD1013. There is nothing in the guide with both the slight taper from end to end AND the flange.

I found it on the west side of the old Bytown and Prescott. This line has been heavily hunted in the past and has turned up many threadless insulators. I doubt anyone is going to find more.

I have read an account of the first train trip in January 1855 where the author states that a two wire telegraph line was being constructed at that time. I beleive this insulator is from that original telegraph line and was quickly replaced by pin-type insulators. The line was connected to the US system by means of a submarine cable to Ogdensburg. It is conceivable that this was the first telegraph line in Eastern Ontario, and probably the first electrified wire running into the new capital.

Most of the information on the Bytown and Prescott points to the east side as having the oldest glass. I think I have disproven this theory, but it is possible threadless lines were installed on the east side and co-existed with the "glass block" lines on the west side.

The terrain where I found it was very scrubby with sandy soil. The top half of a pole was laying down close to where I found it, but was definitely of post-1900 vintage.

Right now I am debating what to do with the peice. I think it is of historical significance both inside and outside the collecting world. I could really use some extra money right now, but if I sell it I want to make sure I know what it's value is, and I would like it to remain in Canada.

This leads me to ask- how would I find an expert in early glass blocks? I have had no luck through the internet so far, although I have emailed both Carol MacDougald and Bill Meier but have yet to hear back from them. I assume they have lots of mail to respond to.

Chris

Robin,

Here is a scale drawing of what I beleive would be the complete insulator.


Chris

ah mannn, something in my mind knows what this is......................


Very cool find!!!