What have I got here?

[PrettySquareGal]

An estate sale item...

 

[drmaxtejeda]

An estate sale item... View attachment 520879

That looks like a part from Doc Emmet Brown's flux capacitor

 

[Zombie_61]

That looks like a part from Doc Emmet Brown's flux capacitor

 

[Frunobulax]

Film splicer maybe?

Are there any markings?

 

[PrettySquareGal]

No markings. I was told it's a rotary switch for a model train.

 

[Frunobulax]

No markings. I was told it's a rotary switch for a model train.

I'll can believe that.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

No markings. I was told it's a rotary switch for a model train.

It’s a rheostat which regulates the electrical current (essentially a model train transformer) going to the track. If either of the two coils are burned out it’s essentially a boat anchor.

 

[PrettySquareGal]

Oh! Thank you!!