This 1897 crossarm with the original hardware belongs to Larry Volmer. I am posting these for him in regard to his latest pictures and excellent e-mail about the Colorado Telephone Co. line over Mosquito Pass, in the Rocky Mountains. [id=300719415]. There was a question on ICON about when was the earliest use of steel strap crossarm braces. Larry sent these early day examples he rescued from remains of the old telephone line to Leadville, Co. This pretty much answers the question about the earliest use of steel strap braces. Note that they are not galvanized. For more pix of the unusual hardware and methods used, Click NEXT