where's Lucien when you need him, this is his sort of thing!
Is the bit that turns meant to be operated by hand, or might it be linked to some sort of other machinery, for example, can you tell?
I've seen plenty of weird and wonderful devices for automating processes that today would be done by a small plc or electronic controller. For example synchronising print on printing presses, regulating generators or motors, animating advertising signs, controlling temperature, pressure, speed, flow or volume, that sort of thing.
The general style of it suggests 1930's, I love this sort of thing and would love to see it doing its job, whatever it is!
