Home › Forums › Identification: What is this thing? › Low Voltage Insulator?
- This topic has 19 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 6 months ago by
Sharyn.
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03/08/2017 at 10:29 am #14073
I have a clear glass item from a box lot that I believe to be a vintage low voltage insulator. It has a bell symbol and the number 73 inscribed in the glass.
I see that high voltage insulators in different colors are collectable, and some of them command high prices. I don’t think that this one is worth much, but I can’t find anything similar in either eBay or on a few collectable insulator websites I checked. I think that I am spending way too much time researching something that is probably worth $5, so I’m hoping someone can verify one way or the other.
I have no reason to keep it, so I will probably list it at $10 or so with shipping included (unless someone can point me in a different direction).
Thanks!
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This topic was modified 4 years, 6 months ago by
Sharyn.
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This topic was modified 4 years, 6 months ago by
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03/08/2017 at 10:32 am #14075
Does the top come off? If so, it’d make a cool container.
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03/08/2017 at 10:38 am #14077
No, there is no top; it is a solid piece of glass. However, there appears to be dirt inside, so I have no idea how it got there – maybe during manufacturing.
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03/08/2017 at 12:10 pm #14092
Really?
You have me intrigued. In your picture, the the glass “top” appears to have a varnish between the “mouth” of the bottom and what appears to be the top. Also, “73” is facing away on the top and facing forward on the body. The dirt inside is clue #3 that you may have a removable lid ….more pictures please!
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03/08/2017 at 12:56 pm #14095
I studied this thing for awhile, and I do think that I’ve found where the lid comes out; however, I can’t get it to move for anything. The lid has a smaller diameter than the jar so that it fits in down from the top. I can feel the crease inside the top ledge. I don’t want to push it too hard that it breaks. I might try running it under hot or cold water to see if that helps.
Either way, I’m still pretty sure it is an insulator, but not one that would have been used at the top of a telephone pole. Maybe it was used in ground equipment.
Anyway, I posted all my photos to Imgur. I really hope that all these photos don’t get posted in the Scavenger Life firehose tomorrow. I apologize ahead of time if it does.
Image #7 is the best one that shows the crease I’m talking about. Unfortunately, it is a bit blurry.
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This reply was modified 4 years, 6 months ago by
Sharyn.
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This reply was modified 4 years, 6 months ago by
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03/08/2017 at 3:25 pm #14099
That look like a small apothecary jar to me. The band at the top is rough glass so that the lid grips and seals the jar. Try soaking it in water and then gently manipulating the lid to get it to release. That is great if it is a jar that it has the matching lid.
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03/08/2017 at 3:35 pm #14101
Thanks! I will try that. If it is an apothecary jar, do you know what the bell symbol on it means? I was thinking it was an AT&T/Bell telephone symbol, but maybe that threw me off?
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03/09/2017 at 10:26 am #14159
I used to work in a lab and it looks like a piece of lab glassware to me. The top is meant to fit very tightly to keep moisture and air out but it would have had a tiny bit of grease applied so that it would still be removable yet sealed. If grease isn’t reapplied every so often the old grease can degrade and the glassware becomes stuck. Warming it in hot water may help. I think the numbers are so that you can easily match the bottom and tops. The bell is likely a logo but I’m not sure for what company
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03/09/2017 at 3:44 pm #14188
This makes some sense, and I will do some research with that in mind. I’ve tried once soaking it in warm water, but nothing is budging. I’ll try again.
Thanks for all the helpful suggestions! I’m glad that I asked rather than just throwing it up for $5. I don’t know yet what I’ll ask for – I still have more research to do.
I also have some other vintage bottles with rather thick walls and “Made in France” on the bottom. Not sure what they were from either, so I’ve got additional research there as well. They came in the same lot.
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03/11/2017 at 3:03 pm #14256
It’s probably an old Bell Laboratory piece. They did a lot of scientific research, not just stuff related to telephones.
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03/11/2017 at 3:58 pm #14257
Yes, and Bell Labs was located in the area. I’m in central NJ, the pickup was in Hazlet, and a large Bell Lab facility used to be in Hamilton. Most likely this guy worked for them. This auction had other lots with various vintage test equipment. So, I think we’ve really narrowed this down.
I don’t see anything like it on eBay, but I don’t think I can ask too much for it. I’m thinking $25 including shipping.
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03/11/2017 at 4:08 pm #14259
Sharyn, here’s how we would price it:
–It’s an original item from the famous Bell Labs.
–There are no other items like it on eBay.
–It’s well made and not reproducible.
–It’s practical and could be used as a very unique storage jar. People love vintage apothecary jars.
–Our price would be $199 with Make Offer.-
03/11/2017 at 5:18 pm #14261
Oh, wow! Alrighty then. You guys have way more experience than me; I’m still learning. I will be taking photos early this coming week, and I’ll get it listed later in the week.
Do I have these listed too low:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=182484252494&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
Apart from being a very nice heavy glass bottles made in France, they don’t have anything too special about them. I found other vintage bottles on eBay, but not exactly the same thing. I have three listings each with two bottles. Maybe I should only be listing one at a time?
BTW, these are from the same auction lot as the Bell Lab jar.
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03/11/2017 at 6:17 pm #14265
Those perfume bottles dont look very vintage because of the plastic tops. Still cool. We would sell them individually. Post one item with Quantity x. Price each one at $15.
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03/11/2017 at 10:14 pm #14277
Thank-you so much for your advice. I’ll work on that this coming week.
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03/09/2017 at 4:10 pm #14190
The actual name of it just came to me~ It’s called a weighing bottle. Look it up in google images and I think you will agree
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03/10/2017 at 11:40 pm #14237
You’re on the right track now!
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03/11/2017 at 10:54 am #14248
Yes, I think so! Now, if I can just get the silly lid off …
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03/11/2017 at 10:56 am #14249
You might want to try putting it in the oven at a low temp and then use hot pads to hold it while you try and get the top off. Lab glassware is made to withstand high heat.
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This reply was modified 4 years, 6 months ago by
Nancy.
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03/11/2017 at 4:00 pm #14258
We finally got it off, yay! My husband first applied something called Liquid Wrench overnight, but the lid didn’t come off right away. He had to run hot water over it for a while. I’ll have to take new pictures now!
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This reply was modified 4 years, 6 months ago by
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