20 Weird Objects People Found And Couldn't Identify On Their Own

Ashley Hunte
A large, metal tool with two points at either end of a horseshoe shape.
reddit | oldskool73

There's a lot of weirdness in the world. Some of that weirdness doesn't really need an explanation. At the same time, though, there are some weird things that we're just dying to learn more about.

Like these weird things, that people decided to put on the internet in order to find answers. And it was a smart move, too, because that's exactly what they got — because they asked Reddit's r/whatisthisthing community, who have a crazy track record for identify the weirdest, most random and obscure things out there.

"Emergency light on the wall of the Baltimore Aquarium labeled Venom Alarm."

A small, red light that has the words "venom alarm" on it.
reddit | ParameciaAntic

The comment section got to the bottom of this one, figuring out that it was for venomous animals, and the events in which they might be dangerous to the zoo employees/patrons. Creepy, but also probably necessary.

"Pointy metal object less than a cm long found in lawn after landscapers left. Part of a tool? Necklace or chain?"

A small piece of metal in the shape of a tooth or diamond.
reddit | ceemunee

Reddit user Kanadark said, "Looks like a sew on cone spike to me. Could be used on clothing, could be used on accessories like bracelets/ necklaces/ hats whatever. They come in 2 and 4 hole variations." And that was right!

"What is this thing? Metal "scissors" with a fork like grip."

A hand holding some kind of pliers-like tool, similar to wire strippers.
reddit | DaxBati

Many people had different guesses on this thing, but it ended up being a meat mincer. And here I was thinking it was some kind of special pair of wire strippers...

"Purchased at Goodwill. Glass earthenware box with holes on the sides. No holes in the lid. No markings to indicate manufacturer."

A long, rectangular stoneware object with three holes on the long sides, and one hole on either of the short sides.
reddit | PreferenceLeading118

The Reddit comment section seemed pretty convinced that this thing is just a random box some kid made in a pottery class. No mystery to be found.

"What are these ~4 inch wooden sticks, some with sharp metal tips? I got them from an elementary school teacher (now deceased) in Montana."

An open mason jar filled with wooden objects that resemble pens, but have sharp metal pieces on the ends.
reddit | goodgirlathena

The Reddit comment section figured it had to be for art of some kind, either for sculpting, paper craft, or something else entirely.

"Found these brown lumps in the frame of a sliding door."

The inside of a wooden doorframe where an amber-like substance has gathered in a corner.
reddit | nammo30

Reddit user sc0tty0 said, "Spray foam...aged to perfection! If your jamb is wonky/bulges that's why."

Actually, that makes a lot of sense. Spray foam probably changes color after a while.

"My parents sell antiques. They had this really cool old board in their barn. Not sure what it was used for."

A long piece of wood that resembles a blade for a fan, only larger.
reddit | christophlc6

There was a bit of a debate over what this thing is, but it looks like it was used for stretching/tanning hide at one point.

"Possible kitchen gadget with spring-loaded metal triangular disks, mounted on a handle. From decades ago."

A small handheld tool with a wooden handle and a spring attached to two pieces of metal that create three clips on the end.
reddit | XaminedLife

Doesn't look like this thing is a gadget. The comment section was pretty convinced that it was a removable pot lid handle (so you could put the pot in the oven). Without its matching pot, it's probably useless.

"What is this wheel that's been mounted on the wall at my school for a while. it's metal, not sure if it spins."

Some kind of tool involving a wheel attached to a wooden block.
reddit | snek100

Once again, the Reddit comment section saved the day. This thing is some kind of old scientific calculation tool. Neat!

"Long wooden implement with two tines, not sharp at all (probably not a pot fork) - fork is for scale."

A long plastic tine next to a regular sized fork.
reddit | HystericalClownParty

If you've ever done fondue, this might look familiar to you. Because it's a fondue fork. Very classy.

"Electrical insulators connected in a triangle, on a truck in Nebraska. What is it for?"

Three large, triangular structures made of metal that have cylindircal pieces of metal sticking out of each corner and the middle.
reddit | phosphenes

According to Reddit user noob_picker, "It is a high voltage switch (three way switch here). Designed to be mounted on a single pole."

Like those metal things you might see sticking out of the top of an electrical pole. Cool!

"Strap with plastic pieces sewn on."

A black strap with a metal latch and pieces of foam or plastic padding along the length.
reddit | nickieffo

Reddit user HoagieSub was able to identify this thing pretty quickly: "Looks like a Perfect Curve door mounted hat organizer. I had one growing up."

Very specific, but also the right answer, so...

"Curved wood block with stick and ceramic tile -This was found this while going through an estate, the stick can be placed in either hole but the tile is fixed in place."

A wood block with a foam piece on one end, a curved piece on the other, and a smaller block with a dowel sticking out of it in the middle.
reddit | GingerGrrl47

According to Redditor SucculentVariations, it's a hot glue gun holder. Who would've thunk it?

"The cloth belt would be wetted as it cycled through the reservoir. As it's cranked, a stack of something would be pushed under the belt to be pressed. Then repeat."

Some kind of contraption made with pieces of metal. Almost resembles the inner mechanisms of a sewing machine.
reddit | stray_girl

Reddit user Riccma02 called it an Elliott addressing machine, and said it was probably used to seal envelopes. I'll... consider that solved.

"3.5 inch metal object with a 1/4 inch round shaft and a circular flare at one end, found in a used trumpet case (though it may have nothing to do with a musical instrument)."

A 4 inch valve set next to a wooden ruler.
reddit | briansnickname

According to the Reddit comments, this thing is a valve for an engine. What the heck was it doing with a trumpet!?

"Very heavy, the angle of the metal plate sits can be adjusted. No markings anywhere. Found it in the basement along with a lot of bike tools so maybe related?"

A large , copper disk attached to a metal stand with a lever.
reddit | 80-Mental40-Physical

The Reddit comments had this one down, too. It's a vise for wood carving. Makes sense.

"Decorative looking small pendants of some kind?"

Two seashell/fossil like objects resting on a hand with a coin for scale.
reddit | beetlesox

Spoiler alert: these little things aren't pendants. In fact, the Reddit comment section deduced that they're actually fossils, and are probably hundreds of millions of years old! Now that's pretty impressive.

"Found this behind a commercial freezer while doing renovations. Plastic casing, plastic looking balls, metal shroud, about 1.5 inches in length."

A hand holding a small capsule full of even smaller, white beads.
reddit | Cold-Principle-7233

The Reddit commenters identified this thing as some sort of component for moth traps. I guess that makes sense.

"Large chunk of (metal?) Weighs quite a bit in your hand and hasn't changed in color in decades."

A piece of metal about the size and shape of a lighter, with unknown text inscribed all over its surface.
reddit | jalanubnub

Reddit user Croquant23 showed up to save the day here!

"The circled m logo is the logo of the réunion des musées nationaux, the French public museums... Probably a copy of a cuneiform tablet available as a souvenir at the Louvre, among other museums."

"Antique looking foot operated spikey thing?"

A horseshoe-shaped piece of metal on top of a wooden table.
reddit | oldskool73

It seemed like everyone agreed with Reddit user nnfhjs in that this thing is an eyelet press. For leather? Possibly. But the important thing is that we got a right answer!