Vintage General Electric motor starting switch CR 1038-A1 with a great industrial steampunk vibe and dating from the early 1920's. Haven't seen one like this before. Switch is contained in a 10" x 6.5" x 4" deep steel box which could be mounted to almost any surface. Large aluminum toggle switch is on the front. When turned to the on or off position it makes a satisfying clunk. There is a lockout feature on the side, an early safety mechanism, and the front cover can only be opened with the switch in the off position. 

Open the front cover and you see a pair of early ceramic cup fuses with a patent date of May 7, 1918. The aluminum and mica fuse covers twist off to expose the copper electrode, which is held to a copper strip by a small aluminum clip with a low melting point. If the switch's ample power capacity was exceeded the clip melted, causing the copper strip to spring away from the electrode and cutting the power. There is a row of extra clips inside so if this happened you just put a new one on to restore the connection. 

The last six photos show the guts of the switch with the inner cover off. The switch mechanism is embedded in a gray ceramic block, and the whole assembly is mounted on what looks like a reddish fiber material.

Use this great industrial artifact to turn on a lamp, a large electric motor within the listed capacity or anything in between!

This G.E. motor switch has been tested and is in working order. Tag on the front says it can be wired 2 or 3 phase motors so it may have quite a bit of capacity. Consult an electrician about this.

Steel switch box is rusty, faded and weathered, creating a unique patina. Inside still has its "japanned black" paint intact. One of the mica fuse fronts, the one on the right, is a little separated and not as clear as the one on the left. Also, four of the knockout plugs have been removed. Hole covers are available at any hardware store.

Switch weight is approximately 10 pounds.

Payment within three days of first invoice.