Anyone know what these are?

[Ohiogoldfever]

I have several 40-50s era power supplies and old radio equipment that have these in them. Some appear to be at least plated in Silver. Just curious If anyone can enlighten me as to what they are, how they work and if they may be worth chasing.

 

[butcher]

look like variable plate capacitors.

 

[galenrog]

My opinion also. Any plating on those I encountered was typically silver. Underlying metal could be any of dozens of copper alloys. At least that is what I seem to remember.

I have not seen things like that in decades.

Time for more coffee.

 

[Ohiogoldfever]

Thanks guys. I had my suspicions they were a variable resistor or something of the sort given the construction and way they operate.

 

[Ferrit69]

Variable capacitors, they will be more value in them sold and not stripped of there silver. The old capacitors were made to a very high standard and are still used by radio hams. I use them when building antenna tuners.