HISTARCH,

I am passing on this question for a colleague, but it's a good one so I'm
just as interested in any comments people might have.

Is there any technological difference between late-19th / early 20th
century telegraph wire, and bailing wire of the same time period?

Up here in Alaska we have plenty of thick gauge telegraph wire across the
landscape that was strung up in the first decade of the 20th century,
relating to the Federal military telegraph system used up in these parts.
It is thick (~ 3/16"), and is all galvanized. It was re-used all over the
place for myriad uses after the system became defunct with the introduction
of wireless technology just prior to WW I.

BUT, how can I tell the difference between such telegraph wire and other
types of wire, short of context / provenance? Is there some physical trait
I could be keying in on?

Best,

Robin