What Are These Things For? (21 pics)
Found this stone on a beach in northern LP Michigan, it’s about 2 inches across and is strangely light for its size. The holes on top look man made, along with what I assume to be the characters D11 111.5
A: Not ballast, they used regular round stone for that. Based on the area you found it, petobego pond area was a large Marl clay quarry for the Elk Rapids Portland cement co. My best educated guess is it was a processed and fired piece of marl clay as a quality test. Hence the markings for a batch number. I am on board of that region’s underwater preserve council and trained underwater archeologist… suggest you take to Elk Rapids historical museum for confirmation. Very nice and knowledgeable folks there.
Metal component dragging on the bottom of a Chevy Traverse
A: That’s your driveshaft.
From India most likely, made of iron and opens like a treasure chest. 3 handles and a latch.
A: It's a Paan Daan, a ceremonial box used to hold betel leaves and nuts. Apparently Betel leaves have a narcotic effect when chewed.
This large, ceramic, turquoise fire hydrant looking thing has been in the family for decades. Resembles some sort of large lantern, but still unsure.
A: I believe it's a small heater, probably gas. Mostly decorative to protect people from the flame.
Some type of measuring device with a tiny light.
A: This is a linen tester. Originally used by printers to look at detail/patterns of fine linen paper, now used mostly as a loupe to check registration and close up detail on press sheets. Note the measurements and markings unique to this vs. a normal magnifying loupe, it’s to count the thread pattern of the paper. Totally old school craftsman printer tool. I have 4-5 from my dad. This one is in great shape! Corrected the spelling on loupe.
Mountable brass hardware with turnable sort of Z-shaped hook
A: It's a window latch for old windows
Can someone identify what is inside this 5 gallon jug of wine that is at least 25 years old? Found in a deceased grandparent's basement.
A: It's a SCOBY (think kombucha) sometimes it happens, sometimes it's bad, sometimes it's fine. You more than likely have vinegar now.
Part of Machine. Unsure of function.
A: It's a banding machine used to secure loads onto pallets
Pipes running throughout a wooded area. Spotted near a quarry in PA. What are they for?
A: They are for tapping syrup sap to make syrup. They no longer use taps and buckets (for large scale production), they string it back with pipes to a central large collector like this.
Metal (copper?) key chain from Japan with oddly shaped parts that either rotate or slide. The little tag says ‘Huis Ten Bosch' which according to google is a Dutch theme park in Japan.
A: It's a novelty anchor, in miniature.
A tool found on a family farm. Looks to small for a hog to fit through. It looks like there was text on the box, but we can’t make out what it said.
A: Applicator for livestock fly spray
Found on Penns campus in Philly, made of metal, US quarter for scale. Some potentially private information on the paper script inside (not sharing the writings).
A: It looks like a geocache. It is a treasure hunting game, the information on the paper is probably names and dates of visit.
What is this large metal rod in back of house - Id like to know if it can be removed! Maybe it is a lightning rod? We live at a slightly higher elevation in the city.
A: Antenna pole from TV antenna
Old vacuum tube on the wall in the living room in my new (1910) home. The thing I'm holding is the cover.
A: It's what we used to call a bee hive light. Sometimes used to provide a visual cue to a hearing impaired person that the phone or door bell is ringing.
What is this metal object roughly the size of a hand, guessing its around 700-800 grams, solid metal that is matte except for the round section.
A: Artificial hip replacement
What is this sort of sliding meter sort of thing I always see located near train and tram tracks in the UK?
A: All signs are explained here.
Can someone identify this weird metal plaque inside this tiny pocket we found on the sidewalk in front of our flat?
A: It's a luggage tag that has not yet been engraved.
About 2″ tall hand carved marble cup. Is at least 110 years old. I was told these were found on the desks of wealthy men. What is it?
A: It's an Indian incense burner, made of soap stone.
Wooden block with 2 screws and a spring in between
A: It's a card holder
What is this large wooden board with movable red and white beads on the rim? Looks like game (table) with beads to keep score, but what type of game?
A: It's called a Billard Nicholas. It appears to be a French game of some sort.
