Please help identify a trademark (on a 15 amp plug)

[Socketman]

A recent addition to my plug collection has a trademark which I do not recognize, can anyone please help? The plug is a pre-war Bakelite 15A earthed plug, made in England to British Standards. Picture of trademark attached.

[vinrads]

possibly G.E.C.

[Socketman]

Thanks for the suggestion, I had wondered about that, but it either says GC or GAC, no sign of an E. Also, all my known GEC plugs use either the "magnet" symbol or the script version of the initials GEC. I have two examples of the same 15A round pin (BS 546) where the only difference is one has the magnet and the other the script GEC.

All suggestions appreciated!

[Refugee]

You could send a photo to the owner of this site.
http://www.fam-oud.nl/~plugsocket/Overview.html

[Nickthedentist]

...or PM Lucien Nunes, who seems to be an expert on all things like this.

Nick

[Heatercathodeshort]

Goldtone Company or maybe Grelco? J.

[AC/HL]

Could it be Coughtrie, being in Scotland.
http://www.coughtrie.com/about-us/about-coughtrie-155/

[Radio Wrangler]

Coughtrie also fits well with the stylised light fitting in the logo.

David

Pakistani maybe? They still use the UK round pin plugs (and sockets), I have a few, most marked 'Pak Made' though.

[mike_newcomb]

Hi Socketman, how about a few more pictures of the plug in its entirety, please.

I would like to see these out of interest.

Thanks - Mike

[Socketman]

Yes I will, tomorrow.

Meanwhile, thanks for all the suggestions, but I think I am still looking!

[Socketman]

Here are the front and back pictures of this bakelite plug, the trademark is located between the pins. The reference to B.S.S. (British Standard Specification) indicates that the earliest date for this would be 1928 when the first standard for three pin plugs was published, BS 317 "Hand-Shield and Side Entry Pattern Three-Pin Wall Plugs and Sockets (Two Pin and Earth Type)". It is not uncommon for pre-war plugs to indicate that they comply to a standard without stating which one!

[Herald1360]

Goltone?

Just popped into the forgettery when I saw the shape. Might well be nonsense, though.

[emeritus]

The knob hand grip is in accordance with a Home Office specification intended to keep the hand away from contact with the pins and any sparking that might occur when plugging in and out, as well as avoiding strain on the flex. It was in use by 1910 and seems to have been replaced by other designs by WWII.

I'm pretty sure it's not the British GEC. GEC were very proud of their "Magnet" trade mark pre-WII, and I have only ever seen the "Magnet" logo on their pre-war plugs.

[Socketman]

Thanks again for all the suggestions, it would be good to solve this one!

Meanwhile, a 15 A round pin shuttered socket arrived today, probably of similar vintage and with a very similar textured pattern. I will put up some pics when I have cleaned it a bit, but it has also has an interesting trademark. The name is WYLEXION and it is displayed in a circle against vertical lines, just like the regular WYLEX logo. WYLEXION is one of those very rare words which does not produce any results on google!

[Lucien Nunes]

Hmm. It's vaguely familiar, indeed I think I have something or things with this trademark which might or might not not be electrical fittings, but I can't place it. A scan through various catalogues revealed neither the trademark nor any handshield 15A plugs with the distinctive textured finish sold as own brands.I tried the list of PO manufacturers codes, Garcke's manual and my own inventory. I'll send a link to this thread to some electrically oriented people (who might not be members here) because I think it will be just a case of someone recognising it at sight.

Googling Wylexion now finds this thread!

[emeritus]

I just tried searchng for "GC" (in all classes) and "GC" plus image (in the electrical classes) in the Patent Office's ( Sorry, Intellectual Property Office's) free searchable database that has all the registered trade marks, including images, of UK registered trade marks back to 1876 (at http://www.ipo.gov.uk/types/tm/t-os/t-find.htm) .

No joy, but perhaps they never bothered registering their trade mark: it isn't obligatory.

[Socketman]

Thanks again for the comments, it really would be nice to find an answer to the manufacturer of the plug.

As promised, a picture of the Wylexion 15 A shuttered socket, note that the shutters are operated by inserting the earth pin into the shutter hole, and then moving it downwards to reveal the L & N socket tubes. The orientation of the trademark indicates that the socket should be mounted in what we would normally think of as the inverted position, probably because pressing down on the plug is a more natural thing than pulling up on it? The elongated L & N apertures with sloped surfaces assist this downward movement. The method is described in the British patent 434,807 (application date 2/3/34) granted to G H Scholes and Company (Wylex) , 2/9/35.

[Socketman]

I have just come across another example of this mystery logo on a 2A light-switch style vitreous socket. This one is without the 'sun' element, but has a brand 'EXALT' and is made in England.

Please see picture below, does this ring bells with anyone please?

[matthewhouse]

That logo appeared somewhere on this forum fairly recently, and I'm fairly sure it was identified. I can't remember which thread though!