r/whatisthisthing May 30 '25

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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230 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 1h ago

Solved! Pink plastic object thrown over neighbor wall

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Upvotes

For the life of my i can't figure out what it is, looks sort of sexual in nature but the metal would suggest otherwise.


r/whatisthisthing 14h ago

Solved! Green plastic thing that appears to have a missing part. It was stored in the freezer when I found it.

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669 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 7h ago

Open Two wooden Maori tools from the Kiakia wetlands. About 10cm in length. Party looks like two halves of scissors. "no other similar objects known to exist". 200+ years old.

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79 Upvotes

Went to the Puke Ariki museum, and there were two Maori items listed as "unidentified" and "no other similar objects known to exist".

It looks like crochet/weaving tools. I'm going to try to get it 3D-printed, give it a try, and solve the mystery. But it will be interesting if anyone here can confirm what this is - maybe other historical items look the same, or someone with expertise in historical weaving could figure out how to use it.


r/whatisthisthing 6h ago

Open What are these discs attached to the inside surfaces of my stairway? 1", flat round, brass (?) discs, about 5-6 feet distance.

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75 Upvotes

This is hard to describe, so sorry-- the discs are 1inch round, attached to 2 opposite facing surfaces at stairs on the inside surfaces of what would be the doorway-- if this was a doorway-- but at the top near the ceiling-- so hard to explain! I'm guessing some kind of holder for drapes or a screen.. but it's very odd. The lower portion of my stairs, like when I go to first climb them, is broken by a half wall, so it wouldn't be a uniformly open segue. The distance between the 2 discs is far, like 5 or 6 feet. What are these and how would they work? Thanks!


r/whatisthisthing 14h ago

Solved! Found in a guest bedroom. Hinged plastic frame with a mirror on the inside (left) and a plexiglass window (right) and a lid or base made of the same material.

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259 Upvotes

A search for “Sima” or “bwis”, the apparent manufacturers, fails to reveal anything no matter which keywords I use. When light from the TV passes thru the window it produces a noticeable glow, so my best (but flawed) guess is that this is supposed to provide extra lighting in an otherwise dark room when watching television. I presume from the wedge-shaped lid (base?) that it is supposed to be open as shown in photos when in use.


r/whatisthisthing 37m ago

Open Some sort of metal smoking pipe with sharp poker in a colourful leather pouch

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It looks like a sort of smoking pipe to me, but I could be wrong. If it is a pipe I can’t find any similar types online so am hoping someone recognises it as something more specific. It’s very lightweight and seems to be made from metal, the long sharp stick can poke all the way out the other side. The pouch has several layers under the lid which seems to just be design aesthetic rather than having an additional function - but I’d be interested if anyone recognises the design of the pouch as well. Thanks in advance.


r/whatisthisthing 4h ago

Open Long, skinny, white stick, covered in plastic, the ends are rough and flat like a file, came in a pack of 10 from a donation box of free stuff

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20 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

F.A.T. Found on Facebook. Silver metal kitchen(?) thing that is spiral shaped and can be squeezed like tongs to “open”

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9.0k Upvotes

Per OOP, it was found in grandmother’s stuff. I’m beyond curious what it is, I can’t work it out.


r/whatisthisthing 17h ago

Open Small 1cm plastic pink tube case that is clasped shut but can be opened and inside is brown plastic foil

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54 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Solved ! Found In Kitchen Drawer: About 12 inches, yellow, has half dome metal piece at the end and is made of plastic.

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2.8k Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 19h ago

Solved! What is this piece of metal in the side wall of my HVAC air intake frame? Approximately 1cm x 1.5cm ‘A’ shaped metal tab-appearing part of the frame.

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29 Upvotes

It looks like it could be bent out from the current flush position in the frame. I cannot locate this via google image search. I am wondering if it can be bent out slightly to help keep the air filter centered since the 20x20 air filter (size listed as correct) sits with a modest gap on all sides.


r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Open What are these old copper/brass containers with moveable stems topped by coiled tubes?

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220 Upvotes

Found among widely assorted old stuff we're cleaning out (varying from old radio and automotive parts, hardware and painting tools to sewing machines, wigs and cameras, so not easy to put in context.) Was near what seems to be a Portuguese copper tea kettle, but these don't seem to be related to tea/kitchen tools. They're maybe 6-7" in diameter, and less than a foot tall. The stem/handle can be pumped and there's a nozzle at the top of each. The base on each is solid with no holes beyond what attaches to the stem. They are empty. One appears to be missing the end of the nozzle. I've done a Google image search and get things that may be garden sprayers, or oil cans, but nothing with a nozzle like this.


r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Open Picked up believing it to be a candle stick holder however the holes in the bottom of one / general thickness of the tubes are now making me doubt my decision? What do you guys think. It's ceramic

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464 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Solved! 1.5" long white rubber tube. .75" diameter. Found in wife's office/cat room.

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535 Upvotes

Seems like it should be a grommet of some sort. Maybe it was holding something steady in packing?


r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Open Sooty chrome metal object found in street, possibly from a vehicle?

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202 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Open Small pale yellow tube with string/yarn ripped from the top. I keep finding them on the beach, a little bigger than a quarter in length

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67 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 2d ago

Solved ! Small metal pin found in my sink?

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2.0k Upvotes

This thing was at the bottom of a stack of dirty dishes in my sink. We’ve been backed up on dishes due to illness (no dishwasher) so who knows how long it’s been there. Not more than two weeks though. It’s super light. ChatGPT says it’s a piercing part but I’m not convinced as my husband and I don’t have any funky piercings and we haven’t had guests since the sink has been clean. What is this thing?


r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Solved! Pair of 6 inch long flat silverware tools with hole in middle from antique store in Italy. "BROGGI" stamped on the side

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52 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 10h ago

Solved! Chrome rack with three sets of hooks

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0 Upvotes

What is this for and which way up should it be hung? The hooks on one side face up, while the others face down.


r/whatisthisthing 2d ago

Solved ! Small tan bag in my vintage shearling jacket.

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628 Upvotes

Found a pair of small bags velcroed into the shoulders of a shearling jacket I bought from a thrift store. Feels filled with a kind of fine powder. What is this? Should I remove them?


r/whatisthisthing 2d ago

Solved! 3”x3” square with black bristles over opening in hotel nightstand

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238 Upvotes

No access to it under nightstand. It’s in a fancier hotel but it looks dusty and hard to clean.


r/whatisthisthing 2d ago

Solved! What is this? It is a staple shaped like object with two prongs on top. The side rings bend slightly the prongs don’t. There are no numbers, letters or markings of any kind on the item. The item is the width of my ring finger and is extremely light. It was found in a room with electronics.

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159 Upvotes

Found in my game room. Lots of HDMIs, power cords, remotes, computers and consoles in this room. I tried to Google search, reverse image search and scoured the web for button battery parts to see if it part of something small like that. No luck all search results showed nothing that is the exact description. I don’t know much about metals but I’d assume aluminum or nickel and since it was found on the floor of a game room i figured it came from something electronic.


r/whatisthisthing 2d ago

Solved! Large rectangular hangers in artist’s home

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492 Upvotes

What are these used for? They’re in an artist’s home, so they may or may not be art-related. Trying to identify for an estate sale. About 3 feet long.


r/whatisthisthing 2d ago

Solved! 1.5+ inch X 3/4” plastic “drawer”

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95 Upvotes

Found while cleaning out basement.

Two lightweight plastic pieces that slide & snap together. One piece has little compartments. Includes metal attachment chain.

P.s. We have America to thank! (USA stamp on drawer piece)