The M-2998 was only produced in 1902 in limited numbers for two historic lines in California. These insulators were origionally installed in the SF Bay area near Oakland and Berkley 1902 because the salt fogs were causing the M-2795 gutter tops to burst into flames in service. A number were also installed later that same year on a line from Orville, Ca to the Colgate powerhouse. These insulators were then removed from service in 1905 and recycled to other parts of the PG&E system as the transmission lines were upgraded from 40kV to 60kV. I consider these to be one of the most historically important of all early large pin types as they were literally the first of their kind. It was the first insulator ever made with a 14" wide top.

This piece has been in my personal collection for several decades. The base is mint and the top has a single repaired chip on the pointy end of one crown ear. There are no cement expansion cracks or fractures in the skirts. There is also a single small glaze flake on the underside of the top.

This is the very early narrow glaze-weld collar version of this insulator. The ones made later in 1902 have a larger diameter collar. This is the finest example of this rare extremely historic insulator ever publicly offered for sale. Only four or five whole examples of this insulator that are not glued together survive today that have unbroken electrically intact skirts. There the majority of surviving examples of these scarce insulators in collections were repaired and glued back together from broken shards.

The 6-1 (6 patent date ) marking stamp is deeply struck and totally readable on the top platter with every character of the marking visible. The base is light sandy tan and the top is a medium-light sandy tan with some very attractive drips and character. The top rings like a bell when you tap it.

(Price reduced from $2500) Asking $2200+ postage or the insulator can be hand transported and delivered to Springfield or any upcoming west coast show. Please ask for additional photos if so desired.