Regular readers of CROWN JEWELS will recall a series of articles authored by Grant Salzman entitled "Me and the 143" which ran from the June/80 issue to November/81. It was, in part, these articles which gave me the incentive to become a specialty collector of this small Canadian bee-hive insulator. Grant brought to light the many varieties available including previously unknown items. 

Many collectors often inquire as to who made a particular insulator or when it was made. For a number of years I have researched these questions as relating to the CD-143/730, by use of the national, provincial, and municipal library reference sections in Canada. Some of the books that I used dated from as far back as 1850. It soon became very clear that there was very little information on either question. There were some hints and vague references as to dates, etc. but mostly the subject just wasn't addressed. However, by using old telephone books, manufacturers' catalogs, and from my own observations after walking many hundreds of miles over the years, under telegraph lines, some conclusions were developed. 

The following chronology is, of course, quite arbitrary. Dates are based, when possible, on verifiable historical facts; but as these facts weren't always available, some discretion was used. I assumed that a mold would last at least one year without a rework. This would depend on the quality of the original mold and the quantity of items produced from the mold. This latter concept does not work so well when talking about the Montreal Telegraph (3A) or the G.N.W (6D) molds. 

It is tempting to establish a link between the curve-under base style (2A/B) of 143 with the Hamilton Glass Company. However, this insulator style is found on lines built long after the Hamilton Glass Company went out of business. This could indicate that the molds were reused by another glass house. 

Both G.N.W DWIGHT styles (5A/B) were very low production items. Since Dwight left the employ of the Great Northwestern Telegraph Co. in 1905, it is unclear why his name wasn't removed from the insulator rather than the G.N.W.

The many individual Canadian Pacific Ry Co, CNR, and CPR (1D) mold variants are impossible to date, but are a later production item. The prism period C:N:R: style (4A/B) is of such different appearance that I believe it to be a Canadian National Railway insulator rather than the accepted Canadian Northern Railway.

The mold numbers in the chronology are based on Grant's articles. For the readers unfamiliar with this numbering system, reference to the articles will be necessary. Where practical under comments, a key descriptive phrase is used to assist identification, such as ridge base or slug plate, etc.

I will be pleased to answer any questions relating to this article or to 143's in general. (My address is in March directory.)

See you all in Chicago.

Following is the CD-143/730 Chronology.

CD-143/730 CHRONOLOGY