Our neighbors have this mystery wall plate by their front door. We have the identical house (both built in 1929) and we don't have one. The fire department was there today to investigate a smoke alarm and they were apparently very puzzled by it.
It looks like a doorbell buzzer or similar above and a two-prong socket below, but the socket is smaller than modern and the blade holes are slightly canted toward each other.
Does anybody know what this is? Google image search failed me.
This is a Despard Wall Plate with the following devices:
I found an excellent website where a vintage switch enthusiast has laid it all out for us:
Vintage Bryant and Pass & Seymour Despard Convenience Outlets with Slanted Slot
These specialized bakelite electrical receptacles had a pair of blade slots where one was slanted or rotated in relation to the other in order to require a special plug for distinguishing the main and auxiliary contacts. These antique receptacles were often paired with pilot lights and used for electric irons or toasters for indicating they were in use. Sometimes you'll find versions of these unusual sockets with the angled slot marked GROUND and the straight slot ANTENNA; these were likely used for vintage radios. For more information see this original patent by Victor R Despard for this speciatlty outlet.
https://www.kyleswitchplates.com/despard-switches-outlets/
As the description mentions, this outlet is often paired with a Pilot Light. Only paint removal will tell, but you likely either have a pilot light or a push button on top.
I've never seen these, personally. No doubt they seem to have fallen out of favor with electricians.
