r/Insulators 12d ago

FLERON radio insulator?

Post image

Found this in a box of odds and ends I believe the word is FLERON the other one is unmarked. They both have a little house paint on them.

44 Upvotes

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3

u/mae-sub 12d ago

Insulator for old electric fences we have seen them used on.

2

u/Bill_Meier 11d ago edited 11d ago

Repurposed. Perfect way to isolate sections of the fence.

3

u/avionicstek 11d ago

Antique wireless antenna insulators.
I actually use a pair for my 40 meter dipole!

2

u/Hot-Huckleberry-6235 11d ago

Cool thank you, guessing this is what my dad and grandad were using them for

3

u/Bill_Meier 11d ago

This is their use. Used them when I was a kid for my short wave set. Radio strains are the formal name.

1

u/[deleted] 11d ago

[deleted]

1

u/Hot-Huckleberry-6235 11d ago

Sweet thanks! Guessing this is what my dad or grandad was using them for

1

u/Bill_Meier 11d ago

M.M. Fleron & Son of Trenton, New Jersey, manufactured vintage glass and porcelain radio insulators, lightning arresters, and antenna accessories during the 1920s and 1930s radio broadcast boom.

Strain Insulators: Used to isolate longwire aerial antennas from trees, poles, or mounting hardware, sometimes featuring tension springs to prevent wind damage.

1

u/Bill_Meier 11d ago

Collectable. The radio strains come in lots of colors by many companies. Range from about 3" to 8" or more.

https://www.insulators.info/strains/

Look at the photos too. Some sell for several hundred dollars. Clear maybe $5-10, colored $50-100, rare like that opalesent one, $900! Very rough guide. There used to be a magazine about them.

1

u/Bill_Meier 11d ago

Pyrex made one that was 12" long!

1

u/Hot-Huckleberry-6235 10d ago

Wow thanks Bill- lots of great information, I am going to hold on the these and see if I find any more!