There are times where we’re simply at a loss. No clue what to do or where to even start. In those times, some might turn to a friend for advice, while others turn to the internet.
These people found themselves stuck after finding bizarre items they had no hope of identifying on their own, but with the help of some friendly strangers, their mysteries were solved.
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“Found in a garden. Metallic object that closes in on itself.”
This was quickly identified as a ritual box used in Hinduism.
One person who uses a box very similar to this said the compartments store tumeric and other colorful powders. The carving on the ‘petals’ also depicts Ganesha, a Hindu god.
“Weird (possibly rotating?) metal contraption found in a vacant lot outside Hamilton, Ontario.”
Proof that anything can look ominous when sitting out in the woods. This is a ‘swinging gym’, an old carnival ride that was pretty short-lived due to frequent injuries.
Two people would get in that cage on the bottom and try to get the contraption to swing in full circles.
“Seen built into the counter of a kitchen in a high end home.”
Not only did someone provide the answer, they gave an exact model number too.
Specifically, it’s a Gaggenau Vario steamer, model VK230114. Loosely, it’s an in-counter steamer that you can use for anything that needs steaming, not just veggies.
“In Florida near the ocean, wooden thing looks hand carved. About 4’ long with small hole in middle of handle.”
Believe it or not, this is an old butter churner, specifically a Mathani churner. Although we’re far beyond the need to churn butter by hand, some remote villages in India reportedly still use the Mathani!
“What are these carriages used to transport? In the UK, they maximise neither aerodynamics nor capacity. Look too clean for coal, doors at 45degrees to the horizontal.”
The shape is due to these cars being hoppers. Although they do have coal hoppers, these don’t appear to be them — rather more general ‘aggregate’ hoppers — so the uploader was right about that one!
“What’s the purpose of these spacers between the bricks?”
These are cell vents, designed to allow condensation and water to flow from the cavity behind the brick so it doesn’t flood itself. Also prevents bugs and animals from getting in.
“I found this angle bar with chains attached. It’s about 6 feet long. Does anyone know what this is used for?”
Someone did, in fact, know what it was used for. This is a brush cutter chain guard, which hangs off brush cutter attachments on tractors.
They’re designed to prevent debris from flying up and potentially injuring someone.
“Came in a swag bag for a horse show. About 8 inches long, not sure of its purpose.”
After the uploader explained that it has a sort of twist tie feel to it, people were able to identify it as a cable organizer.
Wrap it around a bundle of cables to keep ’em together!
“This building was found in a country estate in Scotland. It’s about the size of a large shed and has small slits and platforms on the outside.”
Though it resembles some sort of birdhouse, it’s not quite that. It’s actually a bee hotel! A large-scale beehive used by beekeepers to organize their colonies.
“A wooden box by a gate in NW UK – on a footpath. Gate separates path from road but you can just step over.”
It’s a speed bump, but worse. Really, it’s designed to prevent cyclists from speeding through all willy nilly.
“Been walking past this metal thing in the woods every day for 13 years.”
To have the restraint to not ask about it for 13 years is pretty incredible. Regardless, it’s a long since abandoned electric water pump.
“Locked grey box with a microphone (??) sticking out the top.”
Microphone was a correct guess, but not for the nefarious purposes one would think. It’s a wildlife recorder, used in the study of various wild species.
The person who provided the answer guessed that this one was for recording the local frog population given how low to the ground it is.
“My dog found this. Bottom is made of metal and top appears to be glass or ceramic.”
I’m sure your dog was stoked to find a new toy, but this certainly isn’t one he should have picked up. It’s a grenade, specifically a “Polish 40x47mm NGO-74 fragmentation round from the Pallad grenade launcher,” according to the user who answered.
Don’t worry, the uploader was instructed to put it down — the grenade, not the dog — and contact the authorities!
“[…] next to the wood pile on my parents recently bought property […].”
A fitting thing to be next to a woodpile. It’s a log jack, a device used to roll large logs for cutting.
“I was left this strange heavy old box with a plug sticking out of it. It [doesn’t] do anything when plugged in.”
A rather niche find, this was identified as a variable voltage power supply. Someone added on that it was possibly used to run various AC motors, given the written instructions included.
“Object from the ’50s, solid wooden handle, circular metal circle things attached.”
My first thought was a broken can opener, but I was pretty off. Instead, it’s a knife sharpener and glass cutter, specifically one of the Apex brand!
“Cigar shaped [metal object] found in the garden.”
With such a vague shape, I wouldn’t even know where to begin.
By some miracle, someone said it looked like a brass Fisher Space pen and after some force, the uploader was able to pop it open and see that it was, in fact, that pen!
“Found in my yard in Sonoma County, CA while I was doing some landscaping. Heavy, polished, and gleams in the light.”
The uploader went on to ask if it was old or modern, but the answer is most likely modern.
Someone was able to identify the stone as Gold Sheen Obsidian, and said they ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if it was related to some form of modern-day witchcraft!
“Found in a Jaguar [XKR] glovebox, it can’t be opened and has a part number and tag [ID].”
A pretty simple answer, it’s an automatic driver recognition tag, essentially a tracking device if the car gets stolen.
“A stranger gave this to a friend of mine and we have no idea what it is. It’s literally just a heavy metal ball on a spring attached to a wooden handle.”
The uploader went on to guess it was some sort of old tool, and they were sort of correct.
It’s an old police baton called a cosh, designed to be short and easily concealable while still heavy enough to be used as a weapon.
