Aussie240,
Well, I've seen Kiwi valve radios from the 50's fitted with a bakelite plug that I have never seen on Aussie stuff. It's a simple design with internal terminals and a screw on cover but nothing in the way of cable strain relief.
I know the one you're talking about.
The actual "strain relief" was a knot (not unlike a reef knot) in the Phase and Neutral conductors of the cord, the Earth conductor (if present) was un-knotted.
The knot had to be done a certain way or it would damage the wires, I seem to remember an elderly Electrician here telling me about it, about 10 years ago, he's long since passed away.
There was a name for that particular knot, can anyone help?.
The cord was often rubber-sheathed cotton braided, with a jute filler.
Not unlike an iron cord, but more basic, I have seen tinsel/cotton wires on some radios here.
[This message has been edited by Trumpy (edited 02-24-2006).]