22 Odd Items With Simple Explanations

1.

What do you call this wrench thing? A: I’ve always called it a dog bone wrench. I have one just like it without the advertising. I’ve had it for about 50 years.

2.

Bought a house from an older Muslim couple, this was the only thing they left. It is about the size of a hand, top is hinged. A: It’s a match safe

3.

What is this large, plastic thing found at the top of a small mountain? There was an apiary nearby. A: It is a backyard observatory.

4.

What is this thing? Each piece is about 10cm tall and screw together, the bit on the right acts like a syringe. A: It’s a vintage breast pump. That is not a cup for cupping. Don’t be mislead but the odd bowl shape and think cupping. The bowl is to contain the breast milk as pumped to be poured into another vessel. The wick is to keep the milk out of the ‘works’.

5.

Odd lighthouse type structure near Nassau in the Bahamas, does anyone know what this is or what it was used for ? A: Abandoned Coral World – Nassau, The Bahamas (Coral World Bahamas is a combination aquarium and beach resort that opened in 1987. Its signature lighthouse-like tower observatory was built on an artificial island and is linked to the mainland of Nassau via an elevated causeway)

6.

What is this thing? Found on the side of an English home, victorian, I think? A: Coal grate. The wagon would pull up and dump a ton of coal into the basement.

7.

What is this thing? Found sitting up in an attic, looks like its been there a while from previous owner A: Wilesco Nuclear Plant Steam Engine. Water goes in and steam comes out.

8.

Found this in a cupboard at an old farm no clue what it could be A: It is for making mayonnaise.

9.

These two pieces of wood attached by a nylon strap. Found on the beach in Oregon. A: It is wheel chocks for keeping your trailer in place while you get your boat off.

10.

Stainless steel flatware with slats. About the size of a teaspoon. Back says “stainless steel Japan” but no other markings. Not very heavy and came in a set of four. A: It’s called The butterer. They’re for buttering corn on the cob.

11.

Metal object found in the middle of the desert A: Probably a worn out ball from a tumbling mill. Basically a big rotating drum is filled with steel/iron balls and a material is passed through it to be crushed by the balls (like ore or stone).

12.

What is this thing? About the length of a pinky finger, solid steel, probably weighs about a pound. A: Plumb bob

13.

Any guesses as to what this plane part is? Fell out of the sky in Colorado when that United engine failed A: Definitely a broken vape cartridge.

14.

Door with a hinged section a quarter through horizontally? A: So it can fold around the corner when it’s open, and not stick out into the room

15.

Metal, comes apart, sharp on the hollow ends. A: Cork borers

16.

Cup with intricate design attached to chain. About the size of my palm, maybe 4 inch diameter. Too large to be jewelry and if you look, the chain isn’t attached the way jewelry would, it seems looped (?). Cup is about an inch deep. Heavy, no writing or numbers to check. A: It’s a tastevin! It was historically used by wine producers to inspect wine. The indented designs reflect light, highlighting the hues of wines (in particular reds) so that they were visible in darkened wine cellars. With the advent of electricity they’re somewhat obsolete. They are however still used by some sommeliers as little sipping cups to check that the wines have no flaws prior to serving.

17.

Some old electrical equipment I found in my physics lab. A: It called a Potentiometer.

18.

Just found this at a thrift store. The larger piece has an angled base, and there are 6 smaller pieces that fit inside the larger but it seems there’s room for 1 more to fit which would make 7. There’s no identifying numbers or engravings. A: It’s for chilling vodka.

19.

Found in the shed of our rental… Hole on the toe and top of the foot with a small handle. Hollowed out like a pipe. What’s this used for? A: It’s an oil lamp

20.

Small case attached to pocket watch chain A: Visiting card holder.

21.

At the Beekman Arms in Rhinebeck NY, bar has been around since the 1700s. Black metal with three valves (?), spring towards the end of the longer valve. Rest of bar has older rifles and machetes lining going around the room. Piece of a bag pipe, maybe? A: It’s a German tobacco pipe

22.

About 15 inches long. Very heavy. Made of wood and steel. A: It’s an antique turpentine tree hack.