Here are a couple of old units. The first is a 2-way fusebox, procelain base with bakelite cover. The side-handle switch is up=on and when in this position keeps the front cover from being opened. The switch is a spring-assisted quick make/break type suitable for AC or DC.
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[Linked Image from members.aol.com]

Next is a similar unit, but this one contains 4 fuses. It's still a 2-way splitter, but dates from the days when it was standard practice to fuse both line and neutral:
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[Linked Image from members.aol.com]