As an avid fan collector I find myself in the trenches all the time. Flea markets, antique stores, Craigslist visits, etc. Sometimes in order to hook the item you want you've got to buy some other items too. Every now and then the bycatch is bigger than the trophy you were after in the first place.

This particular item is a "dental lathe" bipolar motor which is a tool still used to this day but more commonly referred to as a dental buffer in the modern era. A dental lathe is used to polish fake teeth. Pretty interesting item; this motor weighed in at over 30lbs and still had much of its original ornate pin striping present. Unfortunately the original switch was missing from the base.

I estimate this motor to be a late 19th, early 20th century item but would love to hear input from others.