Heathkit TC-2P Tube Checker

I came across this gem in an unexpected place, namely a flea market for vintage motorcycle parts! Standing between heaps of pistons, wheels and engine parts, the owner claimed it was “some kind of electrical instrument” capable of testing “well, a lot of things I guess”. When the small case was opened I immediately recognised a Heathkit tube tester that had definitely seen better days. Once I had intimated to the owner that I had no idea what the instrument was actually supposed to do, plus that it was ramshackle, grimy, grossly incomplete and so on, I paid 10 pounds, closed the lid and walked away in exuberance.