Can anyone here ID this old outlet?

[testcase]

chopper wrote:
Thank you, testcase. House was built in 1920. I guess I will call an electrician.

I would NOT be surprised if you found "Knob & Tube" wiring in the walls. The house I owned was built in the 1890s. When it was first "electrified", a pair of BARE COPPER WIRES were run inside the walls (a common practice in those times). These bare copper wires were "installed" on porcelain insulating "knobs". Although my house was rewired in the 1950s, the original knob & tube wires were abandoned and simply left in place. I think one or two of those circuits were left live!. BEFORE "poking around" if you don't already have one, get a Non-Contact Voltage Tester. They're widely available and don't cost much ($10~$25) at Walmart, Lowes etc. A NCVT is simple to use and will alert you to LIVE voltage in wires. Cheap insurance so that you don't electrify yourself.

[mikebw]

If you want to be up to code, you'd need an entire new receptacle and box with faceplate as the placement of the existing screws is no longer standard either. Not to mention some means of grounding. But... if it's just for a lamp I wouldn't mess with it.

[macphanatic]

mikebw wrote:
If you want to be up to code, you'd need an entire new receptacle and box with faceplate as the placement of the existing screws is no longer standard either. Not to mention some means of grounding. But... if it's just for a lamp I wouldn't mess with it.

I wouldn't be surprised if the visible screws are just for the cover plate. The outlet may use tradition mounting methods. The only way to know for sure is to open it up.

[JoeH]

macphanatic wrote:
[quote=mikebw]
If you want to be up to code, you'd need an entire new receptacle and box with faceplate as the placement of the existing screws is no longer standard either. Not to mention some means of grounding. But... if it's just for a lamp I wouldn't mess with it.

I wouldn't be surprised if the visible screws are just for the cover plate. The outlet may use tradition mounting methods. The only way to know for sure is to open it up.
Visible screws include two that go right through the outlet itself between the slots for the blades of the plug. They may be just to hold the receptacle together, but I have seen old equipment where those held the receptacle to the box. Like you say though, would have to take the cover plate off first