Old exterior lamp holder on an old house?

[olc]

Old exterior lamp holder on an old house:
What am I likely to find under this if I dig in?
Not ever sure how to dig in? It has been painted a gazillion times. Not sure if there is a screw under the paint.

The only thing going for it is that it is slightly under an overhang That is the overhang at the top of the photo. Rain coming from the west or south west may hit it.

 

[olc]

P.S. It is working.

 

[ptonsparky]

My guess would be you won't find a box.

 

[LarryFine]

My guess would be you won't find a box.

Agreed. Old NM through a hole and a fixture strap screwed to the wall. That's my guess.

 

[Little Bill]

And an old wasp nest or two!

 

[James L]

Probably find some cloth-covered, brittle nm or knob-and-tube.

You might find that the wood behind it is so soft that it won't stay together if you tried to cut in a box, or it wont hold a box. Once you disturb it, you just might regret it

 

[olc]

Thanks for the replies.
The wiring is old BX.
The switch (inside) is push button. Like several other of the switches in the house.

 

[kwired]

Thanks for the replies.
The wiring is old BX.
The switch (inside) is push button. Like several other of the switches in the house.

That might increase the chance of it having a box.