There\u2019s something magical about the internet\u2019s ability to identify literally anything. You can post a blurry photo of a random piece of metal, and within minutes, someone\u2019s like, \u201cOh yeah, that\u2019s a mid-century Norwegian horse hame used for pulling carts through fjords.\u201d<\/p>\n
The subreddit r\/whatisthisthing<\/a> is basically a collective brain of engineers, collectors, and people who just love solving weird mysteries. Every week, someone uncovers an object so oddly specific that it feels like it was placed on Earth just to confuse us.<\/p>\n From century-old stove warmers to random red plastic doodads, these are some of the strangest (and most satisfying) mysteries solved online this week.<\/p>\n Bought at a second hand market in Tunis, it seems to be vintage cast iron, approximately 10cm tall. The only opening it has is the top lid (found some similar looking lamp bases online, but these would have had a hole for a cable to pass through). Doesn\u2019t seem to be a trinket box\/storage because of the two screws that go through the inside \u2013 the top one approximately one third of the way, the bottom one connecting the front and the back.<\/p>\n Can you please help me figuring out what is this?<\/p>\n Solved By PacificCastaway: <\/strong> Translation from French: Featured in the Album G\u00e9n\u00e9ral de 1914 catalog, early 20th century. Separate_Passenger58 (OP): <\/strong> Metal spring\/coil. Separates and can be re-connected by attaching ends.<\/p>\n Solved By lightningusagi: <\/strong> ElManuel93 (edited): <\/strong> I\u2019m a bit confused why someone would give it out with candy, though. My guess is it either slipped off the giver\u2019s finger or accidentally ended up in the candy bowl.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not dangerous, though it could be a choking hazard for small kids.<\/p>\n lupine_eyes (OP): <\/strong> Solved By vroom88: <\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s an electrical plug cover for a fuel pump assembly, used to protect the part during transport.<\/p>\n RedstoneRiderYT (OP): <\/strong> vroom88: <\/strong> RedstoneRiderYT (OP): <\/strong> What is this, and more importantly, what do I do with it?<\/p>\n Solved By Senior-Pie3609: <\/strong> forevergleaning (OP): <\/strong> AnnaB264: <\/strong> forevergleaning (OP) update: <\/strong> Solved By seamus_mc: <\/strong> oll1921 (OP): <\/strong> GronanStormbringer33: <\/strong> Solved By disposable-assassin: <\/strong> Views of the other sides might help, since it looks like there\u2019s something on the top and possibly an information plaque.<\/p>\n The two vaults nearby look like fiberglass vault lids, which are commonly used for irrigation or landscape lighting. Given the setup and surrounding grass, irrigation is the most likely purpose.<\/p>\n CheeseCarbsAndSass (OP): <\/strong> Solved By Rougaroux1969 (OP):<\/strong> Diligent-Plant5113:<\/strong> moeyjarcum:<\/strong> Solved By Helpful-Fruit-1404: <\/strong> LockjawTheOgre: <\/strong> Crix2007: <\/strong> MrMalta (OP): <\/strong> Solved By itro479: <\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s a strut channel spring nut <\/a>.<\/p>\n Both_WhyNotBoth: <\/strong> jeffersonairmattress: <\/strong> MereCoincidences (OP): <\/strong> Solved By Puzzled_Tinkerer: <\/strong> Here\u2019s an example of a nearly identical pair: Puzzled_Tinkerer (edited): <\/strong> This particular hame has nothing to do with the reins. Some hames include a ring to keep them from getting tangled, but not this one.<\/p>\n For context, I have Norwegian Fjord horses and Norwegian-style harnesses, along with antique hames very similar to the one shown.<\/p>\n tintbao (OP): <\/strong> Solved!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Im clearing some land on a small ranch in the mountains of San Diego, CA and found this large heavy cast iron object on a hillside, about 800\u2032 (uphill) from the road and about 600\u2032 (also uphill) from an abandoned railroad. The family has been here for a long time, nobody knows what this this is. Its about 2.5\u2032 long maybe 2\u2032 tall and weighs over 400lbs. Has copper plates that say Fairbanks Morse and US Navy<\/p>\n Solved By Wish_Tricky: <\/strong> The shaft connects to a motor to move large volumes of water from one place to another.<\/p>\n timewastinbuttsmelly (OP): <\/strong> I\u2019m still wondering what it\u2019s doing on this hill so far from everything \u2014 the closest well is about 800 feet away, and the nearest standing water is probably half a mile.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Found this in my partner\u2019s things. Neither of us know what it is. The rack has two raised ends with small hooks on both ends.<\/p>\n Solved By gretchens: <\/strong> lightupthesky8 (OP):<\/strong> A small plastic thing found in the washing machine when I took out the clothes. Light (2.7 grams), seems injection molded. No text anywhere.<\/p>\n Solved By SurlySal: <\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s part of a tool used to clean window tracks.<\/p>\n update.grapee.jp\/1666306 I didn\u2019t even know we had one of these!<\/p>\n Solved! It\u2019s exactly that!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Solved Silver-Adder (OP): <\/strong><\/p>\n Solved!<\/p>\n We agreed it\u2019s a whetstone sheath. When I mentioned it, someone remembered there used to be a scythe around \u2014 not exactly something you\u2019d think would be easy to forget, but there you go.<\/p>\n Thanks everyone for your help!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Found in my grandparents utensil drawer, has a smiley face cut out and what looks like a peeler or something on one side<\/p>\n Solved By OkAdhesiveness4496: <\/strong> Edit: It appears to be a copy of the Kuhn Rikon Original Corn Zipper. Here\u2019s their demonstration video <\/a>.<\/p>\n horticulthoney (OP): <\/strong> Large metal object that looks like it has been slowly taken apart for scrap. <\/p>\n It has been sitting here in this lot for well over a year now.<\/p>\n Solved By jackrats: <\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s an industrial boiler, probably a Cleaver-Brooks model.<\/p>\n Personanonpotata (OP):<\/strong> Stt022:<\/strong> Hi, first time poster here! So: small leather box with 4 cups ( around 150 ml of volume) and another 4 smaller cups (around 50 ml) and a small teaspoon inside, that belonged to my grandfather. It has \u201cBlumhardt\u201d written on the top. Is it for liquor tasting? 2 euro coin for scale.<\/p>\n Solved By Halal0szto: <\/strong> Senior-Pie3609: <\/strong> Found a small concrete piece in the lawn with a metal rod in the middle. The metal looks silver and doesn\u2019t seem hollow. No obvious valves or wiring nearby. There is already a lamp post close by too. Location is near the driveway a few yards behind our mailbox. I forgot it was there and hit it with the lawn mower yesterday. Anyone know what it or was? Thanks in advance!<\/p>\n Solved By Betty_Boss: <\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s a survey marker. Call your County Surveyor and ask what to do about it. They\u2019ll have it in their records.<\/p>\n AlexTheMink (OP):<\/strong> KevonFire1:<\/strong> Replacing these in winter was the worst\u2014digging through frozen ground by hand.<\/p>\n Edit: I can\u2019t add a new comment, so I\u2019m adding this here. It\u2019s set below grade so you don\u2019t trip over it or hit it with a lawnmower. It\u2019s big and solid so it won\u2019t move, which was important before easy GPS.<\/p>\n When I surveyed, it was during that transition stage. We used a mix of methods: point-and-shoot instruments, GPS backpacks and poles, and long days spent going through old maps, leases, and microfiche records at the county courthouse or library.<\/p>\n We\u2019d find a tree, then find the tree half a mile away, then fail to find the tree that supposedly marked the property line. This was in southeast Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n Then we\u2019d take all that and try to make sense of it in early CAD software, go back out to the field, and figure it out. Old roads and missing trees made things pretty chaotic.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Solved By Nytmare696: <\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s a decorative wall hook shaped like fingers. Source <\/a><\/p>\n SirBobPeel (OP): <\/strong>1. \u201cWhat is this miniature fireplace with a lid? No\u201d<\/h2>\n
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It\u2019s an inkwell.<\/p>\n
Gilt cast iron inkwell, a reproduction of heating products from the GODIN & CIE brand (Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 du Familist\u00e8re de Guise \u2013 Aisne). Model \u201cLe Foyer Hygi\u00e9nique\u201d (The Hygienic Hearth), featuring a small inkwell cup located under the loading hatch at the top of the hearth. The handle also serves as a pen rest.<\/p>\n
Dimensions: length 11 cm, width 8 cm, height 12 cm.<\/p>\n
Solved! Thanks a lot!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n2. \u201cMetal coil found in my kids trick or treat bag.\u201d<\/h2>\n
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It\u2019s an acupressure massage ring. They\u2019ve also been sold as fidget toys in recent years.<\/p>\n
Yes, that\u2019s right. Some people also use them to cope with anxiety since the slight pressure or pain can help ground them.<\/p>\n
Solved! Thanks!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n3. \u201cGrey rubber\/silicone seal\/plug found in the boot of a Toyota Corolla (2004) approx 2 to 2.5cm wide, entire thing is squishy and pliable. No writing on it anywhere.\u201d<\/h2>\n
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Oh, I know exactly which plug you\u2019re talking about! I think this is probably the answer. Is there any way you can confirm it? Do you work on these cars often? I really don\u2019t feel like removing the back seats to test it, lol.<\/p>\n
I work in the parts department at a Toyota dealership.<\/p>\n
I found a picture online \u2014 thanks! Solved!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n4. \u201cGreen heavy canister, metal, very heavy. Found in the attic of old house along with some old bullets. Finland.\u201d<\/h2>\n
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Reminds me of an early military smoke grenade or a smoke candle.<\/p>\n
I think you may be right. We were going to take it to the police station. I will update once we know what they say.<\/p>\n
Do not take it to the police station. Call them and have them come to you. You do not want to risk evacuating a police station because someone brought a possible bomb.<\/p>\n
Thanks for all the comments. You convinced me not to take them in. I moved the canisters to a shed away from the house and will show the police pictures instead.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n5. \u201cGun metal\/brass clamp(?) Found in an engineer\u2019s tool box.\u201d<\/h2>\n
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A version of this. Best Way Tools Stainless Steel Screw Holder <\/a><\/p>\n
Solved!<\/p>\n
The old one looks like it was made way better than the stuff they make today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n6. \u201cLarge Metal Enclosure with Black Sloping Panel, Lock, and Vent\u201d<\/h2>\n
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The black panel is a solar-powered utility meter or control unit, most likely for irrigation. <\/p>\n
Solved!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n7. \u201cI found this in my yard. Soft rubber. Thought it might have come off one of my corded power tools, but I don\u2019t remember ever seeing this.\u201d<\/h2>\n
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Solved! Thanks everyone. I looked around my garage for anything that might have held a pencil and that I\u2019d used recently.<\/p>\n
This might be the silliest invention I\u2019ve seen in a while.<\/p>\n
Not at all. When I\u2019m doing carpentry, I always keep a pencil behind my ear. If you\u2019re wearing a headlamp, the strap makes that harder, so being able to snap it onto the strap instead is actually really convenient.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n8. \u201cStainless steel object with an angled hooked end. Given as a gift.\u201d<\/h2>\n
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It\u2019s a high-quality stainless steel spaghetti pasta measure tool with a hook \u2014 and honestly, that\u2019s a more likely gift than a surgical tool.<\/p>\n
Because everyone needs a high-quality, stainless steel version of a tool no one actually needs.<\/p>\n
It costs 39 cents, so \u201chigh quality\u201d might be a bit of an exaggeration.<\/p>\n
Awesome! Thanks. Marking this as Solved!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n9. \u201cThis metal tab with a threaded hole on the bottom, with a spring attached. Just under 2 inches long. Was found on top of a gas pump. What is it?\u201d<\/h2>\n
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Sparky got gas.<\/p>\n
We used to keep those in the armrest tray to hold pumps in place. I use a wooden wedge myself, but these young journeymen love their fancy tools.<\/p>\n
Solved! That was quick, lol.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n10. \u201cI bought it at an auction in Germany and mistakenly thought it was part of a horse harness. Carved wood and metal. Old.\u201d<\/h2>\n
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This is a single hame from a horse harness. The design is typical of hames used in northern Europe and Scandinavia.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
The loop in the middle of the hame is where the trace attaches. The trace doesn\u2019t control the horse\u2014it connects the vehicle so the horse can pull it. The reins are what actually control the horse.<\/p>\n
Great, thanks very much.<\/p>\n11. \u201cLarge cast iron part found on a hillside on a ranch, about 800\u2032 from the road and 600\u2032 from an abandoned railroad. About 2.5\u2032 long, weighs 400+ lbs and has copper tubing inside\u201d<\/h2>\n
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It\u2019s a centrifugal pump.<\/p>\n
Solved! Very cool, thank you! <\/p>\n12. \u201cWire rack with raised ends & hooks\u201d<\/h2>\n
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It\u2019s a dish organizer for a cupboard. You can hang mugs from the hooks and place plates either underneath or on top.<\/p>\n
Solved! Thank you!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n13. \u201cSmall, light plastic thing found in the washing machine.\u201d<\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n
TinIsAlreadyTaken (OP): <\/strong><\/p>\n14. \u201cOdd wooden kind of sheath thing we found in a box of wood working tools\u201d<\/h2>\n
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<\/source><\/picture>15. \u201cStainless steel utensil with a face and scraper of some sort\u201d<\/h2>\n
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It\u2019s a corn scraper, used to remove kernels from the cob.<\/p>\n
Yeah, you\u2019re right \u2014 weird! Solved.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n16. \u201cLarge metal object that appears to have been abandoned in a lot by my house\u201d<\/h2>\n
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Solved! That was fast.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a D-type water tube boiler that can produce superheated steam for industrial use. We use them at power plants to provide steam during startup. I engineer large combined-cycle power plants, and we buy these all the time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n17. \u201cSmall leather box with cups inside\u201d<\/h2>\n
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It\u2019s a travel set for spirits, likely schnapps or liqueurs. Blumhardt is probably the distillery or brand associated with it.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a set of stirrup cups in a leather case.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n18. \u201cConcrete chunk with metal center found in yard\u201d<\/h2>\n
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Thank you! I appreciate having a next step.<\/p>\n
I used to survey. It\u2019s probably about three feet deep and shaped like an obelisk. As others mentioned, it\u2019s a reference marker, not a boundary. Most boundary markers are just long pieces of rebar driven a few inches below ground level that can be found with a metal detector.<\/p>\n19. \u201cWhat is this small hand thing screwed to the wall?\u201d<\/h2>\n
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Solved!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n20. \u201cBuried flat-topped metal tank with metal pipe near foundation \u2014 heating oil tank?\u201d<\/h2>\n