On Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:01:17 -0700, Smitty Two
wrote:

Please tell me whether this is an inverter or a bridge rectifier, if you
recognize it out of circuit context.

http://members.cox.net/prestwich/51.jpg

Simple selenium bridge rectifier. Terminal marking shows what the
function is (AC in, DC out) and the design is familiar to any
old-timer... (Oh, crap, gave that one away, didn't I?)