I found two of these components on my shelf but I can't place them in any equipment. Anyone familiar with them? What is a direct drive switch? Not sure if these are keepers or not...
(http://www.obsoleteindustrial.com/roundtable/gallery/56_10_05_16_4_06_50.jpeg)
Direct Drive Switch A 27523, C.P.Clarke and Co.
(http://www.obsoleteindustrial.com/roundtable/gallery/56_10_05_16_4_05_59.jpeg)
It looks to me like energizing one coil move the wiper in one direction, and energizing the other coil moves it in the other direction. May it was used for speed control or acceleration?
I agree, it looks like a vintage motor speed control of some sort from the 1940's or 1950's. The wiper moves across the brushes obviously varying the resistance. Not sure of the exact application though...