Story
Barrett threw in for free with the other two!
Re: Item: 599503618, Sim U-240 Trenton Mud Signal
Inbox
Barrett Nicpon
Aug 6, 2020, 5:25 PM
to me
Hey, Andrew
Sorry for the delay - running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off the last few days as we are both repainting the exterior of our house, restoring the century-old storm windows, and preparing for my return to Manitoba for work today. I’m sitting on a plane right now.
I’m glad they arrived safely! No worries at all on the cheque - I won’t be able to receive it for two weeks anyways and I’m in no hurry.
You are describing all of the thoughts I’ve had going through my head ever since I picked up the first examples of these. They appear to be identical to U-239C but Elton says they’re not despite that similarity, on the grounds that they are not dry process. That doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, but he’s the one who has inherited the U# system so his word goes. He is the one who suggested calling them SIM-U-240. They do appear to be wet process so I’m glad you agree and are also confused.
Elton is also the source of the “Trenton didn’t make porcelain” lore. He tells me that they were only a supply company and didn’t actually manufacture any products. I don’t know my US mud well at all, and I just do as I’m told! ;)
All the best,
Barrett
On Mon, Aug 3, 2020 at 5:39 PM Andrew Gibson wrote:
Just got the insulators right now. Immediately unpacked them, and have been scratching my head ever since. The Lima is an obvious goodie. The other two, well, they are intriguing. The are a fair match to the one like this that I already have -- BUT, I have always thought mine was dry process (and it has a visible mold line up to the wire groove), and it is a bit shorter. These 2 new puppies definitely seem wet process, with not a hint of a mold line. The pinhole on all three is glazed, all three have that flat skirt, all three share that slightly different profile, but the top of the pinhole is different in all three cases (mine is perfect concave, one of the new ones has a circle indentation, and the other is the same but with a drip at the top).
I've been calling mine a U-239. I can't see myself calling these U-240, or even sim. Ah, well -- that's what's different about the U numbers. Much more open to interpretation! As long as I know what I'm dealing with, I'm OK.
But I'm happy to have them -- even if they will take up a bit of time considering where they fit in. Thank you!
On Mon, Jul 27, 2020 at 8:12 PM Barrett Nicpon wrote:
hahah yeah those are the two. I understand. I think I'd be a truely sick man if I started zealously chasing lag screw insulators that didn't at least have something fancy going on like being a no-tie.
No CP or NP versions of the no-tie tree piece, unfortunately. :(
Yeah the HP embossing is the most significant part of these! I had no idea who made them until these ones surfaced.
Got 'em sent out!
Insulators: $30
Shipping: $18.25
total: $48.25
As usual, personal cheque or whatever else is fine. Email is this one, address is:
Barrett Nicpon
803 Queens Ave
London, ON
N5W 3H7
Canada
I actually just cashed your first cheque today!
Looking forward to that tree insulator display... not looking like I'll be able to see it if it's at Springfield, though...
All the best,
B.
On Sat, Jul 25, 2020 at 3:59 PM Andrew Gibson wrote:
Other two Slater styles? You mean the other two in the catalog that Lee posted? Those aren't actually tree insulators (nor do I need the mania to extend THAT far!). Those other two are for vertical drop wires on poles. But if there are CP and NP versions of the Slater 1647, um, YEAH, those I'd be interested in!
I did not immediately notice the MADE IN CANADA / HP. Wasn't until I went back to the ICON picture you posted and re-read what you had said that I spun the washer off and looked for that. Too bad it's such tiny embossing! But I do like it.
I will definitely enjoy them -- just have to figure out how to display them. I just got the Hendee, too, so I now have 3 pieces to incorporate into my tree insulator display. Thanks muchly for the additions to the collection -- they are particularly fun now when I haven't been able to get to any shows of late.
Happy collecting!
On Fri, Jul 24, 2020 at 5:13 PM Barrett Nicpon wrote:
Cheque arrived today! Thanks so much, Andrew. I'm glad you were able to add a new style of tree insulator to the collection. Now if you want me to keep an eye out for those other two Slater styles I can - there are also CP and NP-made versions of the same style. I didn't know they were considered "tree insulators". I'm not sure how far you want the mania to extend. ;)
I like the marked washers too. Note yours also have the HP MADE IN CANADA marking beneath the washer. The first three of this style I found here in Ontario did not have that marking. One of them did have HAYES on the opposite side of the washer, though - SLATER on one side, HAYES on the other!
Please enjoy them!
Barrett
On Thu, Jul 23, 2020 at 5:03 PM Andrew Gibson wrote:
No problem! I was just going to write you — I guess you win. I got the Slaters just now. Very interesting fellows, and ever so similar to the G&A twist lock. Have to think that they are related somehow! Glad to have them, and especially neat to see the SLATER on the washer, too. Thank you!
My wife really liked the “beads” — that is, the box. She made sure I didn’t destroy it opening things up, and she saved it for future use :)
Le 23 juil. 2020 à 4:28 PM, Barrett Nicpon a écrit :
?
Hi!
Sorry for the delay on this. I have them all packed up and ready to go out. I'll get you a total for shipping after I mail them.
All the best!
B.
On Mon, Jul 20, 2020 at 9:59 AM Andrew Gibson wrote:
Dan, yes! Very interested in any of the Trenton types. They are an oddball for me, haven’t seen many of them. No problem with more shipping!
Le 20 juil. 2020 à 9:36 AM, Barrett Nicpon a écrit :
?
Hey, Andrew
Yeah, it's identical to the "Trenton" one you're getting from me, but it's got a more hum-drum brown glaze. It also has a base edge chip so don't worry about the cash - just happy to find it a good owner if you're willing to pay the extra $2 in shipping costs!
I may be at my parents' place today, so keep on the lookout for messages with photos of insulators!
B.
On Sun, Jul 19, 2020 at 1:01 PM Andrew Gibson wrote:
Hey, I just realized you said
> Anyways, it is 3 1/2" tall by 3" wide. Definitely right on for U-240.
Sure, it's yours. I have a plain brown one I can throw in for free if you'd like, too.
By plain brown one, you mean the same Trenton type shape? If so, well, heck yes! I have one of these Trenton style U-239 types, and have been looking for more. Though I do think they are worth more than throwing in for free!
Le 16 juil. 2020 à 5:23 PM, Barrett Nicpon a écrit :
?
Hey again
Okay! I'll put 'em aside! There's better economy in mailing two or three instead of just one. You know how shipping costs can be up here.
Yes, both of these have Canadian provenance. The Lima piece came from southern Alberta. It originated from a group I bought from a dealer/collector there a few years back and had shipped here. Imagine my surprise upon seeing the character! The Sim-U-240 turns up on rare occasions around here. This is the 5th one I've found. The first four were all in an accumulation of telephone insulators I bought from a few rusty 45 gallon drums behind a farmer's barn near Zurich, ON. Evidently some were used on telephone circuits around there.
The lack of baby signals in the Canadian market is odd for sure. Even CP didn't really market anything of the sort. As you say, there's certainly no lack of CD-160 Hemingrays, Brookfields, and Bs here in Ontario. All I can think is that most companies were satisfied using CD-162s or 162.4s dominantly.
Yes, shipping will likely be about the same. Unfortunately I am heading away for the weekend so I'll have to get them mailed out next week sometime. I could take a look at what I have around at my parents' place when I'm there early next week if you'd like. Maybe hold off on the cheque? I know I have some of the dry process G dome U-236s around. Some came out of that same telephone insulator cache near Zurich. They're not overly rare but thought I'd mention it. I'm not sure what else I have around.
All the best,
Barrett
On Thu, Jul 16, 2020 at 5:14 PM Andrew Gibson wrote:
Dang -- yes, I'll go for both of them! I like the Lima!
I've been collecting the porcelain baby signals in addition to the glass ones. A bit tougher to call than the CD 160, but basically any of the skirt rest signals in the U-230 to U-241 range are fair game for me. Both of these look like great additions!
Are these both things you've found? Interesting to know the distribution of some of these. And I'm still puzzled why the baby signal shape appears to never have been produced by a Canadian company. The more of this style I know that was used there, the more puzzling that question is.
I like additions to the collection -- Thanks!
Is shipping the same? Let me know what that'll come out to, and I'll get another check off to you!
On Thu, Jul 16, 2020 at 5:02 PM Barrett Nicpon wrote:
Hey, Andrew
Elton advised calling it that. I had been calling it U-239C as it is close in dimensions and identical in profile, but Elton says that style is strictly a dry process one. Who knows?
Anyways, it is 3 1/2" tall by 3" wide. Definitely right on for U-240.
Sure, it's yours. I have a plain brown one I can throw in for free if you'd like, too. Wish I'd posted this one before sending you the no-ties!
On the subject of baby signals - I’m not sure if you'd maybe be interested in this crude Lima piece. It looks like U-237 Lima. Measurements are 2 7/8" wide by 3 1/4" tall. Crude as heck with all sorts of glazed over lines and such. The wire groove is crooked as can be, and to top it off the glaze is differently coloured on opposite sides so it looks like two different insulators depending on which angle you display it from. Has a base bruise on one side, but otherwise good. Asking $15 for it.
B.
The Sim-U-240 turns up on rare occasions around here. This is the 5th one I've found. The first four were all in an accumulation of telephone insulators I bought from a few rusty 45 gallon drums behind a farmer's barn near Zurich, ON. Evidently some were used on telephone circuits around there.
On Thu, Jul 16, 2020 at 4:51 PM Andrew Gibson wrote:
Do you know the dimensions? If it’s really U240/U239 size, I’ll take it (assuming you still have it), |
