Hey, folks.

Adept handyman remodeling person but no diagnostic electrician here trying to help a friend. Before I call in a professional thought someone here might point out the obvious.

First off, old home. New service and mostly updated, still some knob and tube lighting circuits that were inaccessible. One ceiling fixture, two three-way switches, gang box at one end. Inside is the 12/3 for this fixture that runs to the other end, one hot in for outlet, one hot in for porch light, one hot in from ceiling fixture. However, the two wires at the fixture are both hot, light off. Connect hot from fixture in gang box to neutral, light goes on, one line goes neutral.

See pics.

I was told this worked before the previous handyman got hold of things.

Any bright ideas?

Thanks.