what is this

[CHARLIE VAN FLEET]

is this an old smoke detector ?? cvf

[Galen L. Beasley]

Heat sensor for an alarm system would be my guess.

[Rick Cantrell]

Heat sensor for an alarm system would be my guess.
Correct

[Skilled Inspections]

Yes, heat sensor. I have one just like it in my house.

[Jerry Peck]

Yes, heat sensor. I have one just like it in my house.

"Skilled Inspections"

Who is "Skilled Inspections"?

Information and ideas are exchanged more openly when real names are used ... as I am sure you noticed that the great majority of us here use (there are a few odd balls here who insist on not using their real names ... which makes their information suspect ... )

I am sure that Brian will reset your username to your real name if you ask him to - just click the "Contact Us" link on the bottom of the page and let Brian know.

[Sandie Hastings]

Heat detector. My next step would be to find the fire alarm panel or other device that it reports to.

[Mark Reinmiller]

Heat detector. My next step would be to find the fire alarm panel or other device that it reports to.

Those detectors were from about the 1960s. I have seen quite a few, but I don't think I ever say any that still had a functioning control panel.

[Rick Cantrell]

Those detectors were from about the 1960s. I have seen quite a few, but I don't think I ever say any that still had a functioning control panel.
This type of heat detector is still being manufactured and in use today.

[Mark Reinmiller]

This type of heat detector is still being manufactured and in use today.

I was not aware of that, but have not seen any that were not very old.

[Rick Cantrell]

I was not aware of that, but have not seen any that were not very old.
https://www.google.com/search?q=heat+detector&espv=2&biw=1600&bih=775&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=RqUgVKfSN6j9sAT3zIGABA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg