http://chronicle.nytlabs.com/?keyword=calibre.caliber (1936)
http://chronicle.nytlabs.com/?keyword=manoeuvre.maneuver (1943)
http://chronicle.nytlabs.com/?keyword=sombre.somber (1929)
Slightly less clear cut but still strong:
http://chronicle.nytlabs.com/?keyword=goitre.goiter&format=c... (1935)
http://chronicle.nytlabs.com/?keyword=lustre.luster (1935)
http://chronicle.nytlabs.com/?keyword=meagre.meager (1927)
Might be interesting to graph all these next to editor or leadership changes, as well as style guide revisions. Or actually, current events, now that I look at some of the years where it's been sharpest.