Regulator and tap... ancient!

A friend gave me a gas regulator and an attached tap. Posted are pictures of the amazing devices. They appear quite old.

Mainly I notice they don't use the same schema I'm used to, though, I'm really not used to much. The regulator is attached to the tap via a hose. Shouldn't they be two different attachments? The regulator plugs into the 'gas in' on corny keg and the tap connects to 'liquid out' on corny.

Also, the gauge on the regulator is broken. Is that replaceable and if not, totally required?

Thank you for your assistance!

Johnny

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5869139&l=7010a4c5ac&id=635939972

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5869140&l=1ad0a1591a&id=635939972

Oh. So it's a tap for a sankey keg not a corney keg. Is there any use in this type of tap for a homebrewer? I have sankey kegs but I use them for boiling.

Probably not much use for a sankey tap for a homebrewer unless you're using commercial kegs for your brew. However, you can replace the fittings and use the regulator to drive a corny keg. Just get a corny keg gas fitting for the end of the line coming out of the regulator. ... I would replace that hose as well.

Without a gauge you have no idea of the level of carbonation. You should be able to find a replacement for under $10 at a local welding supply store. I'd make sure the reg worked and did not leak before investing in the new gauge. I have a regulator that looks to be about the same age, and I would not call them "ancient", as that would make me feel "ancient".