RARE VINTAGE WESTERN ELECTRIC TRANSFORMER RET D163898 NOS?

Description

(A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THIS RARE AND UNUSUAL VINTAGE WESTERN ELECTRIC  TRANSFORMER IS PROVIDED  AFTER THE PHOTOS.  PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE DESCRIPTION)
Up for auction is a rare and unusual Western Electric transformer.  I purchased this transformer at an estate sale where its former owner actually worked for Western Electric.  I believe that this transformer is very rare since I could not find any information about it anywhere on the Internet. Likewise, I’m not even certain that this item is, in fact, a transformer but I was told that it is by some individuals that are evidently familiar with this type of equipment.  Accordingly, I cannot guarantee that the item being sold in this auction is actually a transformer but, for the sake of convenience, I will refer to this item throughout the current discussion as a transformer.  As to what this item actually is (and what it is supposed to do), I will leave an assessment of these issues to the buyer and/or the buyer’s electronic expert.  I have provided a large number of pictures of the transformer being sold in this auction.  If any of the pictures don’t load, just click “Refresh” and they should then load.
***DESCRIPTION OF THE TRANSFORMER***
As shown in the photos, the transformer being sold in this auction is very unusual and impressive-looking. It is fairly heavy for its size and weighs a little over 1 pound. In addition, it is approx. 3.5 in. tall (not including the terminals and screw-posts on the bottom), approx. 1.75 in. wide, and approx. 1.75 in deep. All dimensions are approximate as noted above.
I do not know what kind of transformer this is and what it is supposed to do.  The transformer does have the following numbers/letters printed on it:  “RET D163898” and “8018144”.  Accordingly, I will leave any assessment and determination as to what kind of transformer this is and what the above-listed numbers/letters mean to the buyer and/or the buyer’s electronic expert.  In addition, the transformer has a really interesting-looking gold-and-black decal on it which says “WESTERN ELECTRIC” in the famous type-style used by many vintage Western Electric products.  The decal is in nice condition in my view (see the close-up photos of it that I have provided).  It does have some chips, scrapes, spots, stains, dirt, etc. on it but, in my opinion, it looks quite nice for its age.  As discussed below, I have no idea if this transformer works or not (or what it is supposed to do) since I had no way of testing it.  I did measure the resistance across the two terminals (there was continuity across the terminals) and this resistance value is provided below.
Cosmetically, the photos show the transformer from all angles and please feel free to check them out in detail.  The transformer looks good for its age in my view as the photos show. It is a kind of greenish-grey color.  Likewise, the transformer does have a number of scrapes, nicks, dings, pits, scratches, missing paint, scuffs, dents, discoloration, etc. on it.  However, in my opinion, the transformer does look good for its age and has a very impressive appearance.
At the bottom of the transformer, there are 2 screw-posts as shown in the photos.  There are no nuts or washers on these posts.  In addition, there are 2 terminals (labelled “1” and “2” as printed on one side of the transformer). These terminals each have a black portion extending outwardly from the bottom of the transformer, with each terminal also having a small metal hook-like portion at the ends of the terminals (see the photos).  Both of these hook-like portions appear to be very clean and I couldn't see any solder residue, wires, etc. on them (check out the various pictures which show these hook-like portions in detail).  Accordingly, because it looks like these terminals were never used, this transformer may be unused and NOS (New-Old-Stock).  However, I don’t know if this transformer is truly NOS or not (and I cannot guarantee that it is NOS).  I will therefore leave an assessment of this issue (namely, whether the transformer is unused/NOS) to the buyer and/or the buyer’s electronic expert. Likewise, I have no idea whether the above-listed terminals are original, functional, operational, etc. and I will leave an assessment of these items (and all of the other components, parts, elements, features, and structures associated with the transformer) to the buyer and/or the buyer’s electronic expert.
I do not know if the transformer being sold in this auction is good or not since I did not test it or analyze it in any manner.  I did measure the resistance across terminals “1” and “2” using an ohm-meter and the resistance measured approximately 0.9 ohms.  I do not know what this number means, if it is correct for this transformer, and if this means that the transformer is good or not. I will therefor leave an assessment of it to the buyer and/or the buyer’s electronic expert. Also, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the above-listed resistance reading. It is therefore essential that the buyer and/or the buyer's electronic expert double-check and verify the above-listed resistance value and all of the other characteristics, capabilities, and functionalities of this transformer before it is used in any piece of equipment if that is desired by the buyer and/or for any other purpose.
In summary, the Western Electric transformer being sold in this auction is unusual and very impressive.  It would make a great addition to any vintage electronic collection.
***TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE AUCTION***
Very Important Information - Please Read Carefully Before You Bid:  Regarding the transformer being sold in this auction, I have no idea if it is complete, if it is operational/functional, if it works or not, if the above-listed resistance value is correct or not for this transformer, if the transformer has been worked on by someone else in the past, if some or all of its parts have been changed, if it has all of the correct and original parts, if it has ever been taken apart, etc. In this regard, the transformer in this auction is being sold untested and as-is.  Likewise, I’m not even certain that this item is, in fact, a transformer but I was told that it is by some individuals that are evidently familiar with this type of equipment. However, I cannot guarantee that the item being sold in this auction is truly a transformer but, for the sake of convenience, I have referred to this item throughout the current discussion as a transformer.  As to what this item actually is (and what it is supposed to do), I will leave an assessment of these issues to the buyer and/or the buyer’s electronic expert.
The above-described transformer is being sold entirely as a non-operative display item only since I don’t know anything about how it works, whether it works or not, what it is supposed to do, what types and kinds of equipment it is suitable for use with, whether its internal and external wiring, parts, and components are correct or good, and whether it is complete. This transformer should therefore not be considered a “connect and use” item. I have not done anything to this transformer and all of its parts, wiring, terminals, screw-posts, and all of its other components.  The above-described transformer may have been worked on by someone else in the past, but I don’t know whether this is true or not. As stated above, I have not tested the transformer being sold in this auction and all of its parts, wiring, terminals, screw-posts, and all of its other components and it is being offered in the same condition that it was in when I purchased it at the estate sale. In addition, please note that this auction is for a single transformer (1 transformer) as shown in the photos. No other items are included.
Please also note: The transformer in this auction is being sold as-is with no guarantees or warranties express or implied. Since this transformer is an untested, vintage estate sale item, the buyer of this item should therefore assume that this transformer is going to need repair work, parts, components, wiring repairs/replacements, terminal repairs/replacements, screw-post repairs/replacement, etc. However, I do not know how much repair work, parts, components, wiring repairs/replacements, terminal repairs/replacements, screw-post repairs/replacement, etc. would be needed to get everything operating in the above-listed transformer and I will leave this up to the buyer and/or the buyer’s electronic expert.
The transformer associated with this auction will be shipped via the U.S. Postal Service. It is fairly heavy for its size as stated above. Please note that, if the final shipping cost is more than the amount quoted above, I will pay the difference and if it is less than the quoted amount, I will keep the difference. I am an excellent packer and shipper. Check out my 100% positive feedback and the wonderful compliments that I have received about my packing and shipping. In addition, the quoted shipping cost is not applicable for shipments to Alaska, Hawaii and US territories/possessions outside of the continental US which will be higher and will be separately quoted after the auction. While I will pack this item very securely, some of the internal and external wiring, parts, terminals, screw-posts, and other components associated with the transformer may detach, break, disconnect, or otherwise come off of the item(s) to which they are connected/attached during shipment due to possible rough handling, etc., thereby requiring reattachment/replacement/repair/modification by the buyer and/or the buyer’s electronic expert if he or she desires. However, I will do my best to try and prevent these situations when I pack this item although I cannot guarantee that they won’t happen. Additional note: I will not disassemble anything associated with this transformer and it will be shipped totally assembled.
I did not inspect, repair, analyze, test, disassemble, or work on the transformer being sold in this auction and all of its parts, wiring, terminals, screw-posts, and all of its other components. It is therefore important and necessary that this transformer (along with all of its parts, wiring, terminals, screw-posts, and all of its other components) be examined and inspected thoroughly by an electronic expert inside and out before this transformer is operated, tested, worked on, repaired, connected to any amplifiers(s), connected to any other equipment, connected any power source(s), modified, updated, disassembled, handled, and/or used.  Any repairs to this transformer (and all of its parts, wiring, terminals, screw-posts, and all of its other components), as well as the connection of this transformer to any amplifier(s), any other equipment, any power source(s), etc. and the use of this transformer and all of its parts, wiring, terminals, screw-posts, and all of its other components should only be attempted by an electronic expert. Likewise, I cannot guarantee or warrant that the transformer being sold in this auction works, is operational, restorable, useable, and repairable.  Likewise, I cannot guarantee or warrant that your ohm-meter will provide the same resistance value associated with the transformer that my meter provided as noted herein.
I have no idea whether everything is original or not in the above-listed transformer and I therefore cannot make any warranties regarding originality. I also do not warrant that this transformer is complete and I do not know if there are any missing parts, components, wiring, etc. Thus, I cannot warrant completeness of the transformer being sold in this auction. This transformer involves a piece of used vintage electrical equipment and it is being sold untested and entirely for non-operational display purposes (important). No returns or refunds, and seller is not responsible for any damages or injuries of any kind resulting from the use, inspection, operation, connection to any amplifier(s), connection to other equipment, connection to any power source(s), repair, modification, disassembly, handling, inspection, and/or testing of the transformer being sold in this auction and all of its parts, wiring, terminals, screw-posts, and all of its other components.  Buyer uses, inspects, operates, connects to any amplifiers(s), connects to other equipment, connects to any power source(s), repairs, modifies, inspects, disassembles, handles, and/or tests the transformer being sold in this auction and all of its parts, wiring, terminals, screw-posts, and all of its other components at his or her own risk. If the buyer intends to use this transformer in a piece of equipment, the buyer will need to be sure that it can be properly, correctly, and safely used with such equipment.  This transformer should therefore be thoroughly tested by the buyer and/or the buyer's electronic expert before it is used in any equipment and before it is connected to any power source(s).  Seller is not responsible for any incompatibility or inoperability of the transformer being sold in this auction with any of the equipment in which the buyer intends to use it. The colors of the item being sold in this auction as they appear in the photos may differ compared with the actual items due to the lighting which existed when the photos were taken. Likewise, seller is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this listing.   If you have any questions, please ask before you bid and we will be happy to respond to the best of our ability. This item has already been packed up for shipment.  Accordingly, I cannot honor any special packing and shipping requests.  Please make a note of this.  Payment within 2 days of end of auction. Also, and this is important, should shipping damage occur, the filing of the insurance claim will be the buyer’s responsibility. Should EBay go "down" for any period of time within two (2) hours from the end of this auction, we also reserve the right to terminate/cancel the auction. ***Finally, by bidding on this item, the bidder agrees that he or she has fully reviewed and understands all of the detailed information in the paragraphs listed above and completely accepts such information***. Thanks and happy bidding!