What is this thing called?

[topct]

Some kind of electronic device, but what might it be.

[RPease]

Some kind of electronic device, but what might it be.

I seriously doubt that "electronic" is the correct choice of words...........more likely, "electric" is appropriate.

My guess is some type of "variable" voltage or resistance type thingy.........Hard to say without actually seeing anything besides the "top" (I presume that's the top).

[agrip]

Looks out of 40s 50s. 19 that is.

Leeds and Northrup was known to make big time thermocouple recording instrumentation and furnace controllers as well as other stuff.

That looks to be a "decade" box suitable for testing/ calibrating some of their stuff back then.

The knobs on each end are wire terminal posts.

Hth Ag

[dp]

http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_2/chpt_12/5.html

[rantbot]

Decade box or decade resistor.

[rantbot]

For measurements of resistances or voltages. Scale it by setting the box up as one leg of a bridge. General Radio (later GenRad) made a lot of them.

[Alistair Hosie]

I thought perhaps a potentiometer of some kind but resister sounds better said he guessingAlistair

[J. R. Williams]

It appears to be an old L&N bridge type volt meter that requires a separate Galvanometer. Antique, probably going back into the 20's.

JRW

[miker]

It is the control for fifteen Electric Chairs!
Pick a chair, no waiting!

I Know that was a shocking reply

Rgds

[topct]

It appears to be an old L&N bridge type volt meter that requires a separate Galvanometer. Antique, probably going back into the 20's.

JRW

There was a couple of mirror type galvanometers included in the collection.

What should we call it?