Edison "MAGENTO?"

I'm buying out a guys attic and he told me theres some sort of old magneto up there...so far this is what i've found

it appears to be something of the sort...the bottom rotates but it only has one wire output?

the cap says
EDISON
TYPE AJ1
thomas a edison incorperated
west orange NJ

on the casing it says
ser no P 3831
spec no
72009

does anyone have anyidea what this is, what its for anything at all?
he had thought it was for a 4 cylinder motor but im not sure how that would be possible with only one wire

thanks
zach

 

It's probably fron a single cylinder ag engine...do a google search and you'll track it down..

 

Single lead magnetos are very common on motorbikes for obvious reasons.

 

I know this is crazy, but was wondering if you still have the Edison Magneto. Am in the process of finishing a 1949 Indian Arrow motorcycle. An internet search sent me to this posting ----you can see pictures on my profile here at H.A.M.B.

 

He hasn't been on here since 2006 so you might want to try a PM or other method to reach him.