✅ SOLVED Vintage Sony Japan Mystery Item

[SDIceMan]

Good morning all. I hope everyone has had a successful weekend MD'ing and garage saleing. I picked up this vintage Sony Japan item recently and it has been gathering dust in my 'to list on eBay' pile due to the fact that I can't make heads nor tails of what it might be. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[mojjax]

have you plugged it in ?

 

[SDIceMan]

I have plugged it in, but I can't hear any sort of faint electrical buzz, and to be honest, I didn't touch the metal part in case it was electrically charged!

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Plug it in and see if the metal part becomes magnetic.... I'm wondering if maybe it's part of an old bulk eraser for audio tapes....

 

[nhbenz]

Going by the part # HE-1, It appears to be a head demagnetizer for a reel to reel.
I can't find a listing that still has a picture attached for a Sony, but here's a different brand that makes it clear that that's what it is: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Arg...?pt=US_Head_Lens_Cleaning&hash=item2ed00e3679

 

[SDIceMan]

Thank you all who assisted. It does indeed appear to be a vintage head demagnetizer. I sure appreciate your help.