Two exceptionally rare Westinghouse push-in light sockets circa 1890. PRICE IS FOR THE PAIR. The sockets have corrosion on the top rims of the shells; price is discounted accordingly. These sockets predate the screw-in bulbs that you see today. To install a bulb, you pushed it in and a series of spring clips held the bulb. The bulb has a smooth rather than threaded end. These sockets were early AC models; Edison at the time used DC, but Westinghouse came out with AC sockets in 1886, and AC is standard today.
These are very collectible sockets that you may not see again, or might see again many years from now.
The sockets have a strap, two-screw system to hold the cap onto the shell. This was an 1890 invention.
The paddles are unmarked and seem to have been painted gold, as there is remnant gold paint. Finish is as you see, loss to the plating. All of the paddles turn freely and have a solid click. These sockets would have had insulators over the terminal screws; those were lost to time. Full paper sleeves weren't used until around 1900.
We have 5 complete Westinghouse sockets; listed separately. Also have 3 other Westinghouse sockets for parts, as those 3 are incomplete and have corrosion, and are also listed separately.