If you’re the kind of person who likes mysteries , this list may not be for you.
But if you see something odd or out of the ordinary and feel an innate need to know what it is, well, this list is for you. These submissions to the r/whatisthisthing subreddit are a snapshot of some of the weirdest things people have found and, amazingly, had identified for them.
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“This is obviously a stapler, but a weird one. How do I use it?”
This stapler could be fixed to a stack of paper with a knob (that’s now missing). This allowed workers to staple at different angles without moving the knob itself.
“Found this small size Old Style Beer Can with an opening at the top. Any idea what it is/used for?”
I’m not sure why this exists, but the slot on the top is the correct size for a Bic lighter. Basically, it’s a beer-themed lighter cozy.
“What are these wooden structures, that look half built and randomly scattered across a field on a swiss plateau?”
These will never get built further, because they’re already fully built. They’re a simple way for farmers to store hay.
“Does anyone know what a ‘Magic Flote’ is used for? Google and eBay are coming up empty.”
I’m still having trouble figuring out what this thing is actually supposed to do, but here are its instructions. It basically seems to be an old-fashioned gag gift.
“Appears to be cotton, wrapped partially in burlap, and secured with steel straps. Nothing is written on the green tag and faintly on the burlap is written ‘Hickman, Kentucky.'”
This cute-looking little bundle has no purpose other than serving as a souvenir. It’s simply a neatly wrapped little bale of cotton from a plantation.
“Orange plastic pins appeared on my property, dime-sized.”
These are used by hunters to mark places to set up their hunting stands. If you don’t want hunters on your property, you probably don’t want to see these things.
“Small, pull-out panels at the bottom of an English, Victorian display cabinet.”
Old-timey furniture had all sorts of weird functionality that fell out of favor over time, and here’s one example. These pull-out things are most likely for placing candles on.
“These white circles on my ceiling. In every room of my new apartment. They feel like tin or similar lightweight material when I tap on them. Tried to get my nails underneath pull one off the ceiling but they’re firmly attached and I didn’t want to cause damage.”
These plastic things probably shouldn’t be messed with, as they’re covers for a fire suppression sprinkler system.
“Plastic kitchen tool looks like a slicer or juicer but there’s no cutting edge. Maybe a pasta form of some sort. Ball of lint for scale.”
This looked like it might be good at holding things like eggs or veggies while you’re slicing, and it turns out that’s exactly what it is. No idea what its proper name might be, though.
“1ft x 1ft x 2ft hole in concrete basement floor.”
If this wasn’t a spot for a now-removed floor safe, which is possible, it’s more than likely a sump pump pit.
“What is this ‘soup can’ thingy at the top of this outlet? it’s attached to an outdoor electric light which is controlled by switched power from inside the house.”
If you see something near a light, and it isn’t a camera, there’s a good chance it’s a light sensor. This is a light sensor.
“A variety of tags in sterling silver and brass. Most are engraved with 296318 on the reverse. Suspected to be military. Dated 1951 – 1929.”
These things are not military in origin, though they may be inspired by military decorations. They’re commemorative St. John Ambulance Association year bars.
“Found buried in the closet of a commercial kitchen. What’ve I got? About 6 inches in diameter.”
A few guessed that this thing was a tortilla press, but the concentric rings indicate it’s another kind of press: a burger press.
“What is this glass object? It’s fairly heavy, has no markings, and a very narrow hole on top.”
It almost looks like a drinking glass, but the shape isn’t right. This appears to be a pyramid-shaped oil candle.
“Saw this traveling down the interstate in Virginia. It was the same all the way around. Easily 10 feet tall, metal. No words/markings we could see.”
This is just one component of a turbine, but a very important one. It’s the protective casing that goes over the hot section of a turbine.
“What is this music box ? it is advertised as ‘amazing sounds’ and the person who posted it for sale doesn’t answer messages.”
You’re looking at a Cajon Peruano, a simple Peruvian percussion instrument. Sit on it, slap the side, and hear the percussion.
“Wooden machine hanging on the wall of a historical building. It features dials that all seem to be in sync. Knob below when pushed makes the dials jump, but turning does nothing. The dials are numbered but a few are labeled parlor, ladies entrance and bath room.”
This device, straight out of Downton Abbey , is specifically for summoning servants. Pressing the appropriate areas would ring a bell in a different part of the house.
“Bronze and lead object, with some kind of scale in it, no moving parts, found while digging.”
This looks like it should unfurl into something magical, but the only thing it could unfurl into would be something explosive. It’s a German artillery fuse.
“What is this? Only label on it says ‘loud mouth’ looks to fit in your mouth or roof of mouth maybe made of woven medical fabric with thin plastic through the middle.”
Hunters will probably get this one immediately. It’s a turkey caller. Its purpose is to, well, call turkeys.
“I found this round metal disc in my driveway. it’s internally threaded and smooth on the edges. I don’t have any machinery that isn’t working currently but it looks important.”
There was some dispute with this one, but it seems to be a part of a diesel filter or an oil filter — perhaps a part of an oil filter cut off from the rest.
