[No Handle Sam]

Some interesting guesses out there that is for sure. I have know idea what the thing is. But I can tell you that the "arm" moves up and down (it is spring loaded to stay in what I'm calling the up position) and it looks like it move some type of rheostat? There are a couple of wires that come out of the back side of the "rheostat housing" one of which goes to what I thought was the heater switch? Here are some additional pictures that might give someone a clue.