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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: Wildchld97 on November 02, 2019, 02:19:24 PM
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Hi!
I'm new. I have spent the better part of the day trying to figure out when this item was made and what the words on the front mean, but I've been hitting brick walls.
We found this electrical switch cover near an abandoned home. I'm pretty sure it's from the 1920s. It's heavy, so I believe it's possibly brass.
On the front, above one switch it has written, " Bkts" . Above the other, it has "Centre". I am guessing that "Centre" refers to which lights that switch controlled, but I'm stumped on the meaning of Bkts.
Also, on the reverse side, there is what appears to be a trademark symbol. There is an "H" inside of a horizontal diamond, and an "N" directly underneath.
If anyone could give me any info on the meaning of the words onot the front or info on the history of the manufacturer , I would be very grateful. I'm a history nut. I love old things and i dont plan to sell it so I'm not really concerned about value, but if anyone has a guesstimate..that's cool too. Thanks!
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Looking at back side, ……. it appears to be "cast brass", ……. which infers its not a 'stock' AC wall switch, …. but an industrial switch cover.
The 2 mfg'ers "marks" are on the back side, ……. a "diamond" and the letter "N".
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What country are you in ??
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I'm sorry. I forgot to mention that I live in Pittsburgh PA, USA.
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Try searching "antique push button switch plate" or "Victorian push button switch plate" or "Antique Lock Switch Plate" and you will see many from that era (as well as many reproductions). Not sure about the lettering - was custom engraved.
Hart Manufacturing Company, Hartford, Connecticut
https://books.google.com/books?id=untNAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1306&lpg=PA1306&dq=Diamond+h+switches+are+made+by&source=bl&ots=SjSeWaZrU0&sig=ACfU3U25RCua_8QaOWpKKMUq-pm4Oq4Uww&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiG1Yz7hs_lAhUQQ60KHRQQDyIQ6AEwBXoECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q=Diamond%20h%20switches%20are%20made%20by&f=false (https://books.google.com/books?id=untNAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1306&lpg=PA1306&dq=Diamond+h+switches+are+made+by&source=bl&ots=SjSeWaZrU0&sig=ACfU3U25RCua_8QaOWpKKMUq-pm4Oq4Uww&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiG1Yz7hs_lAhUQQ60KHRQQDyIQ6AEwBXoECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q=Diamond%20h%20switches%20are%20made%20by&f=false)
https://books.google.com/books?id=ndpKAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA215&lpg=PA215&dq=diamond+H+brass+switch+plate+made+by&source=bl&ots=ExTuCDt7A1&sig=ACfU3U1S_gWmxplRD1uKZBmOz0QGch1KPQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj3_73Ghc_lAhVBnKwKHVMsAcQQ6AEwAHoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=diamond%20H%20brass%20switch%20plate%20made%20by&f=false (https://books.google.com/books?id=ndpKAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA215&lpg=PA215&dq=diamond+H+brass+switch+plate+made+by&source=bl&ots=ExTuCDt7A1&sig=ACfU3U1S_gWmxplRD1uKZBmOz0QGch1KPQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj3_73Ghc_lAhVBnKwKHVMsAcQQ6AEwAHoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=diamond%20H%20brass%20switch%20plate%20made%20by&f=false)
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KC ……….
Not sure about the lettering - was custom engraved.
Exactly why I said it was (special made) industrial item.
Your 2nd link, with the “Diamond H” brand, (4th picture, lower left corner) looks like the correct one. ;D ;D