[Michael Dennis]

Ron

One terminal appears to be the wiper as it has a pictogram of an arrow inside a radial coil pictogram. There are (5) terminals, and I can see the numbers for enough of them to determine which is #1, 2, etc. one being in the middle of two pair. Two terminals go to both ends of the coil on one side, and the other two go to both ends of the coil on the other side. The remaining terminal is pretty obviously the wiper. There are the remnants of black and white wires, apparently attached to spade or other types of lugs still attached to the temninals, which all have screw type binding posts attached to bolts. Two of the slotted binders on the terminals won't turn, even with a hefty screwdriver, but there's enough wire left to attach plug, receptical, etc, without loosening the terminals on those two. It's old, dusty on the case but the windings, from what I can see of them thru the ventilation slots, if that's what they are, look ok. There's paint missing from the case, of course, being as old as it evidently is, but it doesn't appear as tho it's ever been dropped or dented. Sure can't find anything even like a 5 Amp variac on ebay for $25. Every one I've seen gets bid up higher than I can really afford, that's why this one seemed like such a bargain as it's a big brute. And the word "stressed" you used is a very good way to describe something. This one looks old and retired, but not "stressed".