Description
I found this "thing" in my late father's pile of electrical stuff.It's got to be at least 70 or 80 years old. I have no idea what it is.Can you identify it?What does it do? Thanks,Justin
Category
Other
Medium
See history and 2 attached jpg's.
Distinguishing marks
See history
Size and dimensions of this item
See history
Date Period
Unknown - 1930's ???
Weight
See history
History
Description of the Thing
02-19-13
Glass portion:
Height: 2.5 inches
Diameter: 2 inches
The center of the glass is hollow: about 1.375 inches in diameter and 1.75 inches deep.
The glass is about 0.375 inches thick.
There are 3 glass legs on the base about 0.25 inches high.
“MADE IN USA” is molded on the base between 2 of the legs.
There are no other marks or names or printing on the glass.
The glass portion weighs about 7 ounces.
Other portion:
This portion goes into the hollow portion of the glass portion.
The 2 wires come out of the glass portion along a groove inside the glass portion.
The white portion inside the metal cup at the bottom is ceramic.
The horizontal piece is metal and it looks like it is used to keep the thing inside the hollow of the glass portion.
Just above the horizontal piece is a circular insulator of some sort.
Above that is a brass hemisphere.
Above that is another circular insulator.
All these pieces are held together with a screw and nut.
Inside the brass hemisphere is a ball bearing about 1/8 inch in diameter.
One of the wires is attached to the outside of the brass hemisphere.
The other wire goes inside the brass hemisphere.
There are no marks or names or printing on any of the pieces in this portion.
This portion weighs about 2 ounces.
02-19-13
Glass portion:
Height: 2.5 inches
Diameter: 2 inches
The center of the glass is hollow: about 1.375 inches in diameter and 1.75 inches deep.
The glass is about 0.375 inches thick.
There are 3 glass legs on the base about 0.25 inches high.
“MADE IN USA” is molded on the base between 2 of the legs.
There are no other marks or names or printing on the glass.
The glass portion weighs about 7 ounces.
Other portion:
This portion goes into the hollow portion of the glass portion.
The 2 wires come out of the glass portion along a groove inside the glass portion.
The white portion inside the metal cup at the bottom is ceramic.
The horizontal piece is metal and it looks like it is used to keep the thing inside the hollow of the glass portion.
Just above the horizontal piece is a circular insulator of some sort.
Above that is a brass hemisphere.
Above that is another circular insulator.
All these pieces are held together with a screw and nut.
Inside the brass hemisphere is a ball bearing about 1/8 inch in diameter.
One of the wires is attached to the outside of the brass hemisphere.
The other wire goes inside the brass hemisphere.
There are no marks or names or printing on any of the pieces in this portion.
This portion weighs about 2 ounces.
eBay Auction Link
Price Paid (If known)
Not applicable
For Sale?
No
Photos
