What Are These Things For? (21 pics)
What is this kind of teacup called? What is with the little part with the holes in it?
A: It is a Shaving Mug with a place to rest the soapy shaving brush.
Found this strange structure in Seattle at the Gasworks Park, any ideas?
A: The concrete trestle arches near the entrance were remnant supports for railroad cars. During operational years, coal cars had ridden up the trestles and released coal into hoppers parked under the trestles.
Large Metal Sphere with Multiple Small Antenna on US Military Site
A: It is a radome.
About two feet in height, holes go through and to the base, made of clay I think.
A: Looks like a chimney pot (top of chimney). Probably removed when demolishing a house or upgrading the fireplace. If they're attached to something underground that might be on top of a vent.
Trailer with a submarine-resembling container with portholes parked on the grounds of a public swimming pool.
A: The trailer belongs to the diving school located at the pool.
Strange clock like thing found in my house.
A: It is a galvanometer.
Found a few of them 4-5 meters away from each other on sea floor during ebb… What are these? Inside they're just half full of dead sea stuff.
A: Oyster reef break barriers I believe is what they're called.
What are these? Small 2cm long, they screw open. Old celluloid or Bakelite? Acorns?
A: Tips for blind or curtain cords. You unscrew the top, feed the cord in, knot the cord, close the acorn, and have a decorative end for your cords.
What are these concrete "balconies" with little doors on them?
A: It is reinforcing the cliff so it doesn't collapse. No clue what the doors are for or how it actually works.
What kind of spoon is this? It's made out of silver and the bowl is roughly 6.5cm in diameter. The handle is 13cm in length. Additionally is it possible to identify the hallmark?
A: These were used in days gone by when most silverware had a narrowly defined purpose. Berries, stewed fruits and fruit preserves would be served using these stubby-handled, wide-bowled compote servers. Going by the lovely turned edge on your spoon, I would venture that it was intended to serve berries. The curled edge helped prevent damaging the berries as they were served, so that they presented more attractively on the dish before the diner. What a nice example you have!
What are these pointy metal spikes?
A: They are aluminum pegs for playing board games like cribbage.
Hefty metal tool (?) attached to a wooden plank.
A: That board has a hand saw sharpening vise attached but its upside down.
Old metal thing, about 4 inches long. Feels like it's supposed to slide open but only moves about a millimeter.
A: It’s an antique barrel lock.
What is this bowl? Found in the South of Germany.
A: It's a smudge pot.
Two spoons attached to a wooden handle at the thrift store?
A: It's a musical instrument literally called "spoons". Used as percussion by clacking the spoons together. I'll see if I can find an example of them being played.
Four piece set found among other items meant for entertaining from home. Probably from around the 1930's.
A: It’s parts of an old school fondue pot. The little covers are for the burner.
Bumpy metal tube bolted to a wooden board (found in an old barn).
A: It’s a cheese grater! Probably homemade.
Ceramic tajine pot-shaped grinder, possibly Moroccan.
A: The terracotta disk is a pumice stone for removing dry skin. They sell these everywhere in Morocco as souvenirs.
What is this old piece of computer equipment?
A: Medium Changer Pack from IBM TS3500 Tape Library. Seems to control the robot which moves tape cartridges around.
What is this bollard with a solar panel in it?
A: It's for irrigation systems!
Found dumped in a local park. Roughly 3-4 feet long, maybe a musical instrument case of some sort?
A: This looks like a case for a sitar.
