This was made for a specific use.

What Is It?

I was going to guess the bell for boxing matches but of course they aren't electrified..

Buzzer that also opens door to let someone in...?

Is it some sort of a sound amplifier?

Not a bell for boxing matches or a Buzzer that also opens door to let someone in, nor is it some sort of a sound amplifier.

No-one even warm yet.

The base of an OLD OLD telephone..... speak into that piece, and there is another piece to put up to your ear.

Nothing to do with telephones, Irene.

Is it some kind of heating element?

Microphone for a Ham radio?

Not a microphone, Shelly.

You're on the right track, Booky. I need more.

Is it used to seal something?

A hair dryer

A nail polish dryer

Is it used to seal something? Nope.

A hair dryer. Nope.

A nail polish dryer. Nope.

Does the top part move, Snoops? I am thinking maybe it's used to heat a can of something and it would sit on that top part.

I don't think it moves, Booky. Not having it here in front of me, rather hinders my answer.

I think it's set at that angle to be able to be used for the purpose intended.

Health and Safety would definitely ban this these days, lol.

Is it some kind of sun lamp? To give yourself a fake suntan?

Nope, not a sun lamp.

Is it for heating, well I hesitate to use the names ... an illegal substance ... specifically there are two that come to mind?

(Family forum)

Space heater?

It does heat up, for the specific purpose I mentioned in the first message, but not for any illegal substance, lol.

It's not that big, Figgy. I would estimate about 6"-8" in height.

I'm off to bed now, it's 03:20am, back in a few hours.

I just thought of something else, lol! Using the 'health and safety' clues.

Is it for applying, not by touching but by close proximity, heat to zits to dry them up?

(I hope not, but strange things have been invented as beauty and health cures, lol!)

Sleep well, Snoops, and sweet dreams!

See you sometime tomorrow.

Is it used to shape or cut plastic?

i know, i know, i'm analytical... (so sue me! i can't help it!)

stand with an electical cord in the base and some kind of button on the column leading up to a disk with something in the middle. that "something in the middle" might be the heating element? and it heats the disk?

that contraption appears to be meant to be used in one place, not moved around. but wha fer?

Perhaps dentists used them years ago??

SB, , nope, not to heat zits to dry them up.

Not to shape or cut plastic, Figgy.

It can be picked up, even when being used, but the top part probably doesn't adjust to a different angle, Kali. It's certainly not as portable as the modern versions.

Irene, I wouldn't want a dentist to use one on me, lol.

Used by a jeweller?

Not specifically Irene, it can be used by anyone (for it's specific purpose), this was probably the 'home' version, lol.

Therefore it is not a craftsman's tool, it is something 'everyday' that many of us would have?

Correct....but we'd have a modern, safer, smaller, portable, version.

Cigarette lighter?

I'm happy to say.............YES!!! It's actually an electric cigar lighter but cigarette lighter is close enough, Irene, lol.

It's called Hold-Heet, Electric Match:

woo hoo... I got one!

(only reason I suggested cigarette lighter is that I picked up my lighter to light a smoke while I was thinking)

WTG Irene..

Hooray for Irene!

Can you imagine using one of those today?

The wiring alone looks bad enough to kill, let alone getting cancer from the cigarettes, lol.

WhoooHooo!! WTG, Irene!!

WooHoo, Irene.

congrats irene!

Wow! That thing will kill you twice as fast!! lol

WTG, Irene