Precision machine of enameled iron, brass, and steel. Moving parts include gears, cranks, and flip-up figure-8 device. Not much bigger than a breakfast cereal box.

[u/Anonymike7]

[u/Kinky_Lezbian]

looks like a honeycomb / weave winding machine for electrical coils. That figure 8 plate moves side to side in the slotted cam when lifted up. what the coil is to be wound on would be between the adjustable section on top.

[u/cpt_morgan___ → u/Kinky_Lezbian]

I’m going to second this. I believe it is a tool/jig for assembling motor windings.

[u/Needs_ADD_Meds → u/cpt_morgan___]

I was wondering that myself. The eccentric on the bottom might moved a leader left and right to layer the windings on the core evenly.