N. R. "Woody" Woodward is the author of THE GLASS INSULATOR IN AMERICA, 1988 Report and developed the Consolidated Design Numbers identification system for glass insulators. 

The first question was submitted by Gary Short of Chapmansboro, TN 37035

QUESTION: I walk railroad tracks and I have found "an insulator". I call it an insulator only because it looks like one.

 The "insulator" is steel or iron, is 4" tall, 3-5/8" at the base. It has a hole 1/2" tapered to 1/4", 2-3/4" from the base. There is a key hole shape exit at the back of the hole, also it has a rim around it.

There is a pin cemented in it with 2- 7/8" of the pin exposed with a 1-1/4" knob at the end. l am sending pictures along so you can see a little of it.

Is this "insulator" an insulator, or is its function something else?

It appears that the piece you have found is an insulator or, more accurately, a part of one. Without seeing the piece it cannot be determined positively: but is seems to be the steel cap and pin from a suspension disc, possibly one of the earlier designs. The drawing herewith is taken from a 1919 catalog.

If this is the case, the edges of broken porcelain should be visible along with the cement inside the metal cap. Let us know if this description seems to fit!!!