Photograph taken along the New York Central Railroad line.

6-pin crossarm telegraph circuits such as these were typically built prior to 1900 and loaded with CD 145 insulators. By the teens widespread pole and line upgrading took place. Upon the new lines hard-drawn copper wire was strung along ten-pin crossarms (especially by Western Union) replacing the old iron wire. Most double-petticoat insulators were re-used by WU if in good condition (a lot were CREB crown-embossed CD 145 Brookfields) along with some hardware if reusable. This surely is nice crusty old "recycled" stuff to find as these RR telegraph lines were taken out of service starting during the 1960s and later.