A questioner said:
Brass adjustable start control. Handle moves either direction marked for forward and reverse. Gear on bottom. 1613 on inside of lid
More info:
I’ve tried and a ton of car,boat and trolly forums over the last decade or so and have never found an answer. I believe this is from somewhere in the 1920s-1930s range may be older. The whole top moves with the handle to either the reverse or forward positions.
Some of the people opinions on it:
1. Looks like it is a timing adjustment for an internal combustion engine that requires a spark. From the looks of it, the terminals sticking out either side would be wired to spark plugs. The forward and reverse nomenclature is strange (typically we’d say advance or retard) but that might just be an older way of labeling.
2. I believe that it’s a spark timer for an early 2 cycle marine engine. The simpler stuff did not have a reverse gear, but instead reversed engine rotation. I’ve operated a couple antique (late teens) boats like that. Don’t recognise that one though.
