Not a bulb, but...

[John Roberts]

Hi, folks.  This one's not a bulb so is a bit off topic, but I thought perhaps one of you collectors might recognize it.



This appears to be an old fuse of some sort.  It's an unfinished wooden cylinder with copper ends, with a small wire running through the center that is visible through the small through hole soldered to the copper ends.  We found several of these in a box in an old shed in southwest Oklahoma, and we've been curious what their application might have been.  Any ideas?

[Scott]

It could be an old-style automotive fuse...some fuses were meant to be"reloaded"-that is, you bought fuse wire and re-used the case. Does it come apart easily? Actually,it almost looks like an old-time grid-leak resistor,but I don't think those were wood-cased. Could also be a telephone equipment fuse. Just guesses,really. Scott

[John Roberts]

> Does it come apart easily? <

No, it's pretty solidly made - the copper ends are punch-crimped to the wooden case.

> Could also be a telephone equipment fuse. <

I'm beginning to lean that direction myself, since I've found that Cook Electric was at one time a manufacturer of telephone central office equipment.  At any rate, that's the direction research is taking - thanks for the suggestions!