what's this?

[George Mills]

First time I ever saw something like this....what might it be? Otherwise, the tail-lamp exterior looks to be a real E&J #9

[Scott_Conger]

looks like a home made ground

[JTT3]

Perhaps a way to electrify the taillight.

[Rich Eagle]

Homemade? Yes. A ground is logical. I don't see any insulating going on there. I'd say Scott nailed it.
I assume that it had been electrified.

[Allan]

A ground is a logical suggestion. Making a separate one when the mounting bolt for the lamp would do the same job is il logical.

Allan from down under.

[Wayne Sheldon]

Looks like a mostly typical oil tail lamp. It probably had been electrified at some point. The original mounting bracket for most model Ts was made of cast iron or pressed steel, all fine and dandy. However, it was mounted onto the wood structure at the back of the body! It MAY or MAY NOT touch upon the sheet metal of the body (runabouts usually do, but touring cars usually don't), or other metal brackets (which may or may not have contacted chassis ground?). And that sheet metal that might be touched on a touring car or the panel on the back of the runabout does not have a solid ground. It may make adequate ground, or not. Between wood, paint, partial contacts, and other potential blockages, there is a very good chance the bracket will not provide a reliable grounding point.
Many times, people would attach a ground wire somewhere on the body of the tail lamp. Sometimes they would do a neat little job of it? Sometimes not?

It is also possible that the lamp was bolted onto some other kind of bracket for some other use? A lot can happen in a hundred years.

[George Mills]

Thanks guys, good info.

Now I’ll share the oops for a giggle…I get my ‘15 in 1995 after trying to get the exact car for 20 years. I’n all my stewardship never noticed the extra fitting’.

Son has it 6 months…sends me the pic saying, “this ain’t right, what gives? “.

Thanks for being there

[TWrenn]

Ha ha George...ya I been there!! Happens all the time! But Allan's right...it oughta ground thru the mounting bolt. Been there too!!

[Moxie26]

Hey George .... Happy New Year to you and the family !

[George Mills]

Hey Bob…back atcha!