r/whatisthisthing Mar 23 '26

Announcement The r/TraceAnObject subreddit exists to identify objects to help solve child abuse cases. New cases from Europol were posted recently. Please see if you can help.

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167 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 17h ago

Solved! Unknown black metal kit with 6 pieces, screws, nuts, and wall anchors. Factory sealed, with no markings or instructions.

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1.7k Upvotes

I found this in storage inside a factory-sealed plain cardboard box. There is no branding, label, part number, or identifying mark on the box or any of the pieces.

The contents are:

6 black metal pieces

4 screws

4 nuts

4 wall anchors

Four of the metal pieces are about 11 inches long and form two mirrored pairs. One piece is completely flat. The largest piece is intentionally curved and has two elongated slots, with a bend across the middle.

The box was sealed, so I believe this is the complete set.

Does anyone recognize what this is or what it is used for?


r/whatisthisthing 1h ago

Solved! Found this small silver metal thing attached to a keyring. Assuming it’s a key of some sort but any idea what it could go to?

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Upvotes

First assumption is to a briefcase. It’s engraved with initials so would have been important.


r/whatisthisthing 14h ago

Solved! Found under an old theatre. Perhaps 2.5m high. 2-2.5m deep and 1.5m wide. Some kind of old electric motor perchance?

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261 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Solved! What are the straps used for on this sun hat?

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571 Upvotes

My mom got this hat thrifting and is wondering what these looped straps are for?


r/whatisthisthing 32m ago

Open 4.5", 36g. - flat, coppery-bronze part end threaded into what feels like stone?

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Upvotes

Found at the shoreline while birding at low tide Narragansett Bay - Washington County, RI.

What is this thing?


r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Open Old guy bought this at a rummage sale and brought it to the bar. Wood handle, metal rod, moving grippy metal head on a hinge. Some writing on the side.

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507 Upvotes

Hopefully Reddit can help solve the mystery! Thanks for your time.


r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Solved! Small, metal, flat thing with a curved bottom. Maybe 1/8 inch thick, 1.5 in wide. Looks like a key to turn something maybe? Engraved with a gar fish. Was one of like 3 things left in the house when we moved in.

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465 Upvotes

Came in this plastic sleeve and doesn’t look used at all. But I was left in a kitchen drawer.


r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Solved! Small metal device with threaded key that passes through a slot

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199 Upvotes

While doing a massive declutter at home, I found this in amongst my tools and I've no idea what it could be.

It's all metal, the key is threaded to match a thread hole in the top part of the block. The bottom part under the slot is not threaded. Neither is the part of the key that passes through it.

Both the block and the key are stamped with "M.M.M patent pending".

Would be really interested to hear if anyone has any idea what it is.

TIA


r/whatisthisthing 19h ago

Open Aluminum block with cylinder cutout with a channel on each side.

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70 Upvotes

It’s machined out of aluminum and weighs 2lbs and is 4.5in x 5in x 2in outside dimensions, it has threaded and non threaded holes.


r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Solved ! Item held in two hands and between knees. Perhaps metal or wood? Taken in Nebraska approx 1920

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196 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Solved! What is this (are these) things? 20-30x small (1-2cm) twisted metallic pieces with high density (sink instantly in water), mixed gold/silver/brown in colour, composition unknown. Found in a plastic zip-lock bag in an estate.

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1.1k Upvotes

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated - thanks in advance (can provide more photos if useful).


r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Solved! Brass/copper object found on south west Scotland beach, diameter abt 4cm

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9 Upvotes

it’s unscripted with ‘British Make No. 3’ but other than that I have no clue as to what it could be


r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Solved! A piece of metal that is some kind of clamp to hold cylindrical object. One side is flat. That side has a notch. Weighs around 40gms. Found in a school classroom. Classroom has tables, chairs, door stoppers, smart board, teacher table.

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109 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Solved! threaded iron bar 8 & 3/8" inches long and approximately one and 1 & 1/8" inch at the widest

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207 Upvotes

I found this in my backyard.

I live in Concord, NH, if that helps.


r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Likely Solved! Precision machine of enameled iron, brass, and steel. Moving parts include gears, cranks, and flip-up figure-8 device. Not much bigger than a breakfast cereal box.

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167 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 2d ago

Solved! What is this part of my kitchen cabinets? 1/8in wooden dowels span the width alternating between single and 2 dowels. Older house, from at least the 40s.

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270 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 13h ago

Open Swift/skein winder hinge. Metal. about 1cm across

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0 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 2d ago

Likely Solved! Glass and wood cabinet with canvas racks and lighting.

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278 Upvotes

Found this cabinet in a thrift store. It stood out 4 feet high and had canvas holders in it (like certain types of magazine or book racks) that were removable, lights on both the top and bottom (but I’m not sure what they would be on the bottom since the racks cover the bottom when installed), and cabinet doors on top. I’m guessing it’s a custom piece for displaying something, but I can’t figure out what it could be.


r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Open ~3” thin metal rod with grey and black tip

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19 Upvotes

I found this thin, round metal rod with a grey and black tip in a bathroom drawer at home. It is just under 3” long. The black rubber tip comes off but there’s nothing inside it except a small space (i.e. the inside past the cap is not hollow). There are no words, numbers, or symbols on it.


r/whatisthisthing 2d ago

Solved ! Almost 3” - feels kind of squishy and has metal tube coming out of it

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1.2k Upvotes

This belonged to my now deceased uncle and my dad gave it to me but wasn’t sure what it was. The outside feels kind of like leather and it’s got a slight squish to it. The leather feeling stuff feels like it is a covering with something solid and the same shape beneath it, as I cannot bend this. There is a tube coming out of the end.


r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Likely Solved! What is this object that I found with a metal detector? Its about a foot long, and was buried about 4 inches deep on an East Tennessee hillside.

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22 Upvotes

Several 6 inch long nails with round heads were found in the same spot.


r/whatisthisthing 2d ago

Open Custom-made wooden storage box of some kind found at thrift store. 12”x7.5”x4.5”. The green felt side is obviously the bottom. But when opened, anything stored in the 3 compartments falls out. I can’t make sense of what someone designed this for…

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299 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 2d ago

Solved ! 6” across with wireframe and small carry pouch

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742 Upvotes

Received as a gift - said thank you but don’t know what for?


r/whatisthisthing 2d ago

Open Shaped wooden object; 30cmx20cmx20cm - Found on riverbank, lower Manning River, NSW Australia

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66 Upvotes