What is it? (a motor, generator, galvanometer or something else?)

[HarrySmith]

Seller states he thinks it is a magneto because he has seen this type of magnet in a telephone before. It is obviously not a magneto but, what is it?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/253584140798

"Truth be known, I have no idea what this is. But it has the large U-shaped metal bar/magnet that I have seen in magneto photos. There is no manufacturer noted so it may be home made, but very neatly done. The wooden case is about 11" tall. Removable glass pane front. The inside has the u-shaped bar, a dangling black canister with copper wire wrapped around. Then a wire is connected to the top, where there is a turning control. There are thumbscrew on both sides. Wood is scuffed and scratched, but should clean up/polish up well"

[RB]

I am no wizard... but thats a motor.
looks like school stuff??

[19and41]

I would think it was a motor, but with the armature being suspended from a wire, I would suspect it is a galvanometer, an indicator of current in the coil.

[RB]

Ah, I bet you are right.

[dsk]

My guess would be some school lab unit to show how electromagnetism works.

dsk

[Sigmaz]

I'll expand on that and say my guess is a school lab test device to experiment with magneto-seismology.