What is this strange component? (Photo)
Looks like a ferrite core flyback transformer to generate a high voltage DC supply. 

The driving circuitry including the ancient germanium AD139 power transistor is on the right and you can see what looks like rectifiers and some filter components on the left. The transformer leads on the left (secondary) are sleeved, and the ones on the right (primary) are just bare enamel wire (and thick). The yellow parts on the left are film capacitors. 

Perhaps mid-to-late 1960s era.