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Pole Cat: 1929

Washington, D.C., 1929. "Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Co. lineman." Last seen here. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

Washington, D.C., 1929. "Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Co. lineman." Last seen here. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

 

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Again we see the lineman prepared to climb and repair a conductor up above. Slung over his right shoulder we see the bulldog grip which is attached to his slack blocks which are small block and tackle to hold the wire's tension while he splices it. His left hand is holding extra copper wire to aid in splicing bad spots out of the wire. Next to his right hip is his test set. At the base of the pole sits his hand line which can be used to raise extra equipment to the lineman by another lineman or ground man (trainee.)

The gloves he sports have a long gauntlet above the glove to protect his wrists from slivers and splinters of wood from the pole as he climbs. The wrists are exposed to damage as the hands wrap somewhat around the pole to climb and need protection.

As I mentioned in another shot of this fellow, he has his pants cuffs rolled up and pulled up several inches to near the tops of his climbing boots. This facilitates more free movement on the pole and keeps his pants from tightening in all the wrong places. If you know what I mean. More ball room. Yes this old salt is ready for business!

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