What it is/ how old

[necn24]

Not sure what this is or what it’s off of and how old ? TIA!

 

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[Plug N Play]

Does it look like a light bulb would fit ?

 

[mick56]

I also think a light bulb socket.

 

[necn24]

It’s hollow so that’s possible thank you

 

[Reanm8er]

Welcome to TNet necn24, Without some size reference I'm making my best guess. The top part definitely looks like an incandescent lamp socket for Edison style bulbs. Same as modern screw in bulbs. The bottom half is a little more complex but I'm thinking either an adapter of some kind, from one type socket to another but more likely to be an adapter to allow switching (on-off) at the
lamp base or for an un-switched wall socket.

Is the bottom half ceramic or brass also?

In the early days of rural electrification, Ca 1890s, the best way to go was a home generating plant called a "Delco Plant" It was an Edison creation that charged a bank of serviceable batteries. They made all kinds of accessories to augment the gasoline fired generator powered by a "Hit and Miss Engine". Small wind generators and outfits for hydro generation. They were extremely popular with dairy farmers who had the need to milk long before the sun came up. It eliminated the need to use open flame type illumination in a wood and straw environment with 1,000 pound nervous livestock.

Only one problem, they were direct currant in order to charge the batteries.


(Will continue in another reply.)

 

[Reanm8er]

More info

In the 1930s rural electrification using AC electrical power from centralized limited service power generating facilities, largely hydro electric, came into popular use but only in limited service areas. There was no national service grid and no Underwriter's Laboratory. Often as not the power plant was operated by a conglomerate of local investors without any regulation.

There was a tradition of running local AC power into homes and farms that were wired for DC-Delco Power. This device could have been an adaptor to adapt a certain bulb into an obsolete socket.

You might check and see if the male end will thread into a modern socket. It could tell the ultimate truth.

Best wishes----------Phil

 

[necn24]

Hi and thank you for your reply. I found this by On a property dating back to the 1860s. I found this by a rock wall the earliest that I found the wall on a map was 1907. There is no ceramic both pieces are metal. I’m new to this so it’s hard for me to tell what metal is what but it’s non magnetic. It just has an “older” look to it. And the third picture there is a quarter next to it for size. At one time I’m sure it was all farm land. I just tried and a light bulb does screw into it.

 

[Reanm8er]

At second look, it looks like a dual bulb holder. Without the damage to the one end, a bulb would screw into both sockets. Designed to illuminate a wider area.

 

[ARC]

I believe that is a "Benjamin"...

Left or similar.