IOTW CD 734
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CD 734 - Insulator of the Week on Fri, 11 Apr 2008
Nickname
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Related Patents
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Details
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Questions
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Discussion
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Nickname
Falls within the "Hat" or "Top Hat" style. Often heard referred to as "little McMicking hat".
Patent Information
???
Embossing Types
(front skirt) McMicking (rear skirt) Victoria. B.C 75. There are two variants, the second contains an additional period after the "C" in B.C.
Colors
Mostly shades of aqua to blue aqua, but can occasionally be found in light green. A few prize specimens exist with large graphite-colored bubbles, some with olive amber swirling.
- PicturePoster #140878518 (green & blue color comparison)
- PicturePoster #81808136 (interesting pic---damaged w/amber swirls)
Comments
This is one of the most affordable of the threadless pin-type insulators. A large cache was discovered several years ago along the North Thompson River in BC, Canada. The insulators were delivered, stored, and then abandoned due to a route change during the construction of the Transcontinental Railway in Canada. Robert McMicking was superintendent for Western Union in B.C. for ten years, beginning in 1870 or 1871. Many more details, including info on the cache discovery can be found in the May 2001 issue of Crown Jewels of the Wire at:
Some can exhibit very short skirts, sometimes partially obliterating the embossing.
- PicturePoster #61577784 (height comparison)
- PicturePoster #80531836 (with original wire)
These brief comments on the Insulator of the Week are not intended to be complete and are presented to encourage discussion and additional information from ICON. Now it's your turn to share info and/or post photos of your favorite CD 734!
Discussion
David Dahle commented on Fri, 11 Apr 2008
I want to point out something that I noticed when I had a McMicking in my collection... Look on the upper part of the wire groove on the 'Victoria, BC' side... In the center you will see a number - you will need to turn the insulator 90 degrees clockwise to see the number clearly. This is readily apparent in the 'as short as a McMicking' picture. Are there any other numbers besides 16?
Bill Meier commented on Fri, 11 Apr 2008
Can anyone post a picture of that? I guess Dave (and I) don't have a McMicking...
Peter Beshara commented on Fri, 11 Apr 2008
[ http://patents.ic.gc.ca/cipo/cpd/en/patent/5860/summary.html?query=mcmicking&start=1&num=50 ]
A few weeks ago I posted a Canadian Patents site. The above is the patent listing for this item. Too bad the actual info can't be brought up. As in most insulators where the mold was used for long periods or high production. The base is cleaned up by shaving the skirt of the mold this gives a shorter produced insulator as time went on. I find no mold number on the 5 that I have but there is a flaw that develops as time went on , in the area that was mentioned by another member. These are a Hamilton Glass product.
Stan Russ commented on Fri, 11 Apr 2008
My CD 734 has something on the upper wire lip, dead center over the 'A' in Victoria. Mine was either not completely pressed (molded) or was scratched out.
Bob Stahr commented on Fri, 11 Apr 2008
I ordered a copy of this patent along with several other Canadian patents early this week before the CD 734 discussion came up. When I get it, I'll let everyone know.
Peter Beshara commented on Sat, 12 Apr 2008
I just want to clarify for others reading these posts. The Collins Overland Route was the one in 1865 - 1867 that was intended to go through Russia to Europe. It though is not the line connected with the McMicking 734 . They were not patented till 1876, Designed in 1875. They were from a line that was to streach across a new northern rail line. The route was changed , leaving the lage shipment in the bush.
Paul Lutz commented on Sat, 12 Apr 2008
I have entered a couple of photos in the Threadless Gallery of an unusual McMicking I own.
He really wanted to be a CD 735 and wouldn't accept a rounded dome. The top has a crater-like depression.
Quite an eyecatcher.
Side by side with a "normal" Cd 734
A view from the top
