The neutral was bonded to the metal base of the lamp, and the neutral wire followed to the socket. The plug wasn't polarized, so if the "Neutral" side was plugged into the hot side of the outlet and you touched the lamp, you got a shock. I just looked at where it used to hang, and the paneling was a bit discolored.
Don't worry, the cord is now in the scrap heap, and the lamp's awaiting a rewire.
Ian A.
[This message has been edited by Theelectrikid (edited 11-05-2006).]
