This spool, two British style Cordeaux insulators, and a Fuse Switch, which are all shown in Picture 2, all bear the same manufacturers marking, plus the fuse switch bears the mark KANTARK.

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The 4 pieces were collected in New Zealand by Rob Wilson., and he asked me if I knew anything about who made them, and where they might have been made. I have never seen the wording ENG LISH CHINA used like this before in the marking of an insulator, spool or fuse, and who is VSM ?

Would greatly appreciate if you can shed some light as to who the manufacturer might be, and of course, where the manufacturer might be or have been located.

You will note, the fuse is marked PAT No. 900 / 15 Does the 15 represent the year 1915 ?

Currently there are lots of questions, and very few answers. Do you know anything about this marking ?

We have an answer from Chas Carpenter of Birmingham, UK.

VSM stands for Vitreous Semi Moulded, The item would be moulded in a a split mould, probably using a fly press, (see Bullers Of Milton book By Sue Taylor, there are pictures showing Fly Presses in use). Once the item is leather hard it is fettled, ie, to remove (as by sanding/scrapping the seam lines left by the meeting of two molds. Vitreous means can Absorb between 0.5% and 3% of water, if the item was not glazed afterwards. English China.........., I feel they may have a connection with the company English China Clays which are located in St Austell, Cornwall, UK, but I have been aware of this TM since the Mid 90's when I too found some Cordeaux's & I think I may have a shackle,