Strange engine?

[Broken knee]

I'm posting this for a friend. I haven't got a clue as to what it's for or what it did?

 

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[calisdad]

Looks like an early Wankel. Just a guess tho.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

That thing is cool! it does look like a version of a Wankel rotary engine.

 

[tamrock]

The Kauertz Engine ...Cat & Mouse Internal-Combustion Engines. Looks like a working model of some kind of kakamanie design.

 

[Tony in SC]

Tamroc is on the right track. I have seen engines, or models similar to this before. I don't think it was ever a production engine because the lack of markings, and so much machine work instead of casting. It appears to be a true rotary engine, (the Wankle is not)the outside turns around a crankshaft. In some they both rotate. Are the bolts SAE or metric? I would guess it was built 1930/1950It's a cool little engine and looks like it would still run. I've been in the Antique engine hobby for a long time, but have never seen one one like this.