One of the things I've wanted to do since I started collecting spark plugs was get one from all 50 states. Did every state produce one? I'll start the photo collection, city and state on the core, makes for a nice plug, this unique plug is The Point, made in Aberdeen,South Dakota

Here's one for ya, from Atlanta, GA. First patented in 1915.

And then there were two...

TG

Quite a story behind the discovery of those Rentz plugs. There was a whole warehouse full of them uncovered back in the 60s and over time, they have gradually found homes in collections and even used in some cars. Just this past weekend we saw a set of them used in an early car at the Melbourne Fla show. Once I get pics downloaded I'll post a few. Once I get unpacked and get some garage time I'll try to look into this 50 state stuff that Bob has started. I have never looked at my collection to see if all states were represented. I know that a few years ago I was wondering if there were any plugs ever made in Virginia but finally manged to find one at a Richmond Va swap meet. It may be hard to tell if the plugs were actually made in a particular state however. So many auto parts companies and even small garages had their own privately branded plugs made. Although the plug might be marked with the name of a city/state, it may have been made by one of the larger companies like Sharp Spart or Frenchtown Porcelain Company in NJ.

Oh - on those Rentz plugs - the hard one to find is the one pictured on the box with the extra shorting bar attached.
Terry

I consider this a California plug, but it has dual residency and some may call it a Missouri plug.

Good plug Bob, the Trova is very attractive. "The Point" is a rare item and was probably made by the same company that made "The Ball Multi" and a few others with the red lettering and an unusual firing tip.

Lets see if we can actually get all 50 states represented with plug names and photos. Here are a couple more to check off the list. The Ring Flash Plug was made near my home town in Kalamazoo Michigan. I really like the Franks Window Plug also made in Michigan (Grand Rapids). The Bodin with that strange twisted wire ground electrode was made in Allentown PA and the double ended plug was made in Peoria Ill. As time permits, I'll dig a few more out of the displays (or storage). One that I've got stashed somewhere is made in Nebraska but the name is spelled backwards on the plug - Aksarben!
Terry

Good stuff Terry! We need some one to post a map so we can check off the states with a plug, sort of like the election return coverage. This is a Fred J. Barr plug from Davenpost, Iowa

The Fred J. Barr plug is a NOS plug, all collectors look for new unused plugs. I often wonder how people could afford to buy new plugs and never use them they were NOT cheap pre 1915. This Emmons Hawkins Hardware core is a factory reject dug up on the site of the original factory, and represents a plug from West Virginia for me, but was custom made out of state.

Here is one from my home town, Stamford, CT

Nice plug Rich, Is it also stamped Bulls Eye on one of the flats? I've got the Bulls Eye with the bulls head on the procelain, and also one that just says Bulls Eye in green letters on the insulator. If yours is unmarked it's a variation I've not seen before.

Been too busy to get into the boxes and photo plugs for this. It'll be interesting to see if we can do all 50 states. I'm thinking Alaksa and Hawaii might be a problem!

Terry

Correct: The opposite flat is stamped "Bull's Eye". My very unscientific study of these plugs tells me that there are many varieties, which is interesting since it is a pretty scarce plug. I am aware of the one shown, one with the bull's head (I'm told there are two versions of that) and a mica insulator. I was unaware of one with with block letters that you describe.
It's funny how many Connecticut plugs have locations on them. Hartford, Breech-Block, Hall (hampton and Willimantic), Daly, Norwalk, Fitzco and Ideal Switch all have a plave name on them.

These stuffs often give me problems I almost got 5 of 'em in a single row. Carbon deposits build up when the plug fails to fire correctly and burn them off.
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