14 times people found something they had never seen before and the Internet solved the mystery

The world seems to have an endless supply of unidentified little gadgets and add-ons that appear out of nowhere. Luckily for us, r/whatisthisthing is here and tells us exactly what we’re looking at. Here are the 14 recent finds published in the subsection and their content:

1.This metal pendant that someone found while digging in a yard in Indianapolis, Indiana:

A person holding an old, faded metal plaque with the words on it "A1440" next to the computer keyboard

2.These tiny glass tubes filled with liquid that someone found under the bathroom vanity during a renovation:

Three small glass ampoules are placed in parallel on a dark surface

3.This rolled up suitcase with a random collection of instruments found in a neighbor’s attic:

A weathered leather case holds a variety of vintage manicure tools, including a nail file, scissors and cuticle pushers, on a textured red surface

A brown textured case with a button closure lies on a textured surface

u/beer_fairy / Via reddit.com

“It’s a dissection kit. We had them at school when I was growing up. Many frogs and rats have passed through our lab benches.”

—u/lawnoptions

4.This little gray thing with a connector that someone found in the basement:

Gray index printer with a small screen, based on a white surface. A person's legs and a patterned floor are partially visible in the background — Gray index printer with a small screen, based on a white surface. A person’s legs and a patterned floor are partially visible in the background

The person is holding a marked gray, rectangular plastic object

u/MauriceLevyEsq / Via reddit.com

“N64 Mad Catz Memory Card.”

—u/lightningusagi

5.This long cast iron object found in a backyard in Wisconsin:

A rusty ornate metal tool with an intricate handle and a serrated end, lying on a weathered wooden surface

6.These tiny, empty tubes found in an antique purse:

A pink clutch bag with a floral clasp, a toothpick and two unopened ones

Two objects on a white surface: crumpled paper with a label

A white, slender object resembling a rolled joint lying on a textured surface

u/treeoflifer / Via reddit.com

“I have a similar toothpick for sale. They are called “dense” toothpicks because they were originally cut from bird spines. Home lines was a cruise ship line.”

—u/gefloible

7.These thin wooden posts topped with tiny hinges:

Two wooden spatulas, both showing signs of wear, on a wooden table. One oar has a screw at the end

Close-up of a metal hinge and the edge of a wooden surface. The hinge has screws and appears to be part of a larger object

u/Freakin_on_ya / Via reddit.com

“Piano Cover Props”.

—u/oakgrove

8.This numbered brass ring that someone found in a house they recently purchased:

Round brass protractor with a cutout in the center and an inscription "Thacker, Spink & Co, Calcutta," placed on a wooden surface — “Brass protractor for charts on board ship. We used it in conjunction with radar.”

—u/RevelScum

“This *could* be worth over £100/$120, especially to a collector. It’s probably the 19th century. Although Thacker Spink sold until about 1960, these full circle brass protractors were more typical of their earlier heritage.

It was most likely used for nautical purposes, as Thacker Spink was the Indian office of Thacker & Co. based in London. When it was probably founded, the British Raj was still in existence and there was enormous maritime trade with India. However, high-quality nautical versions usually had the cardinal compass points marked. It’s similar here.”

—u/Next-Project-1450

u/nfyiy / Via reddit.com

9.This pencil-sized piece of wood with a leather strap:

A black Sharpie marker and a wooden carpenter's pencil with a metal handle are placed on a wooden surface

10.This small but heavy metal cylinder purchased at a German flea market:

Brass pill case with attached dog tag with engraved number

Two metal cylindrical objects on a marble surface. The left object is partially dismantled, revealing various elements

Close up of a metal bolt head with a rope and number attached

u/NecessaryOne6741 / Via reddit.com

“Hi… this is the radiological safety officer. It REALLY looks like a lead pig used to shield a radiation source placed inside the black part of the rod. Pigs usually have higher activity sources… I highly recommend going to the fire department in your city and see if they can scan it for you to confirm the presence of radiation. If it is radioactive material, possession may be illegal, depending on the activity of the radioisotope and the laws/regulations in force in Germany/EU.

—u/Embarrassed-Rate9732

The original poster, u/NecessaryOne6741, replied:

“Update: This morning I called the non-emergency number for the fire department and less than two minutes later six fire trucks, three ambulances, three police cars and a bomb disposal unit arrived. Every apartment in the building was evacuated for four hours until they finally took it away. It turned out to be a track.

They added: “They told me to take off my shoes and scanned my feet and hands.” Additionally, the poster’s radiation levels were “higher than usual but not dangerous.”

11.This is a sliding woodworking tool that someone found in their mom’s pantry: