Knob and tube thingy?

[deenodean]

I found this porcelain thingy this summer on a dig. It has # 1723 on the back. Could it be a knob and tube, an insulator or a part of a lightning arrester? [attachment=photo 3.JPG] [attachment=photo 2.JPG] [attachment=photo 1.JPG]

 

[Bixel]

Sure looks like a knob and tube piece to me. Cant say I have seen that exact design, but seen many similar to it,

 

[nammlif]

I would say it's not any type of lightning rod insulator...could there be another half and they would be nailed together to hold whatever..??..Maybe two wires thru the grooves...How thick is it..??..

 

[deenodean]

Thx Kyle

 

[MuddyMO]

I'm guessing, if it is an insulator, it's the top portion of a "knob"

 

[cowseatmaize]

I'm not a go to guy about insulators but my thinking was more appliance use.

 

[sandchip]

K&T would be my guess, too. Top part of a two-piece where the wire would be placed between it and a taller bottom piece and both screwed into the joist, and capable of securing either of two different wire sizes.

 

[BillinMo]

Yup, I agree with the others that it's the top part of a split knob used for wiring. You can find all sorts of these photographed and listed here, at Elton Gish's site:http://r-infinity.com/Nail_Knobs/Nail_Knobs_p1.htm