This is one of the strangest large multiparts I have ever seen .It is a totally new discovery and has been assigned the new M-number M-4332.. It is clearly a Thomas product and has the blue jean seam in the pinhole . It was found in May of this year on the old electrified West Shore Railroad near Utica, N.Y . The tower where this was used must have previously been hit by lightning destroying the original 1906 insulators. I found the originals near the tower footings, all Thomas M-4331 looking very broken ... clearly the victims of a major lightning induced power arc . The replacements were two were big Ohio Brass M-4430's and the third was this Thomas. I'd guess the OB's and this Thomas crosstop were pressed into service as replacements. To date I have never found even a shard of another insulator like this on the line. It is a mystery where it came from or what it's intended use was. Elton Gish, told me he has never seen one listed in any historic catalog, advertisement or photo.

The three upper skirts are unique to this insulator wile the lower most skirt is the same as is used for the inner most skirt of an M-4710 Thomas. the piece weighs in at 38 pounds and the demensions are 14-10-12.5-8 x 13"

The line this piece came from was dismantled around 1930 so we may never have many answers to explain this very unique insulator.[id=284764605] for a top view of this insulator.[id=281949356] to see what the line looked like back in the 1920's.