At first glance, these objects seem to make no sense at all — strange shapes, baffling purposes, and a few that look downright puzzling. But every one has a perfectly good explanation. Scroll through, take your best guess, then find out what each one really is.

Mystery 01 · Solved

“Mixer? Back massager? Mounted on a cabin wall in Hood River, OR. Two handles spin the seven arms, and the wooden balls spin freely.”

Identified

It’s a rope winder. Each head holds a length of twine, and spinning them twists the strands together into rope.

Mystery 02 · Solved

“Found under my couch. The container opens, has four holes on the bottom, and shakes out a green powder that smells like menthol or cleaner. About 1 inch by half an inch.”

Identified

It’s most likely a disc from a toothbrush holder or sanitizer, the kind that keeps a brush head clean.

Mystery 03 · Solved

“Listed in an online estate auction as a ‘toaster’??”

Identified

It’s actually a salt and pepper shaker set, shaped like a little toaster.

Mystery 04 · Solved

“Found at a thrift shop, marked as an unknown tool. About 7 inches long.”

Identified

It’s a splicing fid — a tool used to weave and separate rope strands when making splices.

Mystery 05 · Solved

“A wooden chute covered with beams, near Durango, Colorado.”

Identified

It’s a timber-supported channel that carries water from Cascade Creek about 15 miles downstream into Electra Lake.

Mystery 06 · Solved

“Weird blue goo that appeared overnight. I’ve googled it and can’t figure it out — maybe eggs?”

Identified

Most likely bird droppings. Birds that feed on blue-toned berries — like those from a lillipilli tree — often leave behind strange purple-blue messes.

Mystery 07 · Solved

“Found stuck to the back of my husband’s rearview mirror, placed diagonally and, as he put it, ‘not professionally.'”

Identified

It’s a long-range RFID tag — the kind used for things like toll payment, garage access, or asset tracking. Nothing sinister about it.

Mystery 08 · Solved

“Found this dripping some weird liquid. Any idea what it is?”

Identified

It’s the work of spittlebugs — insects that produce that foamy, frothy liquid to protect themselves while feeding on plants.

Mystery 09 · Solved

“Rotating drums that the river passes through.”

Identified

In the Pacific Northwest, similar rotating drums are used to count fish — often young salmon making their way out to the ocean.

Mystery 10 · Solved

“A circular metal object about 5 cm wide, silver, non-magnetic, weighing 70 grams. No writing. Found in Ontario, Canada.”

Identified

It looks like a four-leaf clover “cape fastener,” which usually has chains attached — probably from a large coat, judging by the size.

Mystery 11 · Solved

“A ceramic crab with a hole in the top, sitting in an attached dish with a straw. No markings, probably pre-1970s.”

Identified

It’s a porcelain crab water dropper, traditionally used to add small amounts of water when grinding ink for calligraphy.

Mystery 12 · Solved

“What is this ceramic tube? Found in a drawer of random antique bits. I think they were white once, discolored with age, and the holes go all the way through.”

Identified

These are the ceramic tubes from old knob-and-tube wiring, an early method of running electrical wires through buildings.

Mystery 13 · Solved

“Found these holes on a hike in the middle of nowhere. What are they from?”

Identified

They’re likely core samples taken for geology studies.

Mystery 14 · Solved

“Handle-like objects made of glass or epoxy. Looks like they fit onto a rod. Found in my grandparents’ cabinet, where they’ve been for ages.”

Identified

They’re just drawer pulls, likely from a vanity or an old piece of furniture.

Mystery 15 · Solved

“Found this in my pocket. Probably nothing, but I have no idea how it got there.”

Identified

It has a Luer lock fitting, the type found on medical items like IV lines and syringes. The same connector also shows up in things like printer-ink refilling.

Mystery 16 · Solved

“Found this while cleaning out an apartment. It’s quite heavy and not sharp.”

Identified

It’s an ornamental or ceremonial “sword breaker” — a decorative martial-arts style piece rather than a functional weapon.

Mystery 17 · Solved

“A random TV channel we found?”

Identified

It’s a signal monitor, likely set up by a technician troubleshooting cable issues. Tuning to that channel lets them check the signal quality at different homes along the line.

Mystery 18 · Solved

“What’s the difference between the two buttons on the last two rows? Both open and close the elevator door the same way. New Mexico, USA.”

Identified

One controls the front door and the other the rear. The first floor has two doors, which is why you’ll see both “1” and “1R” on the panel.

Mystery 19 · Solved

“Two chrome balls that move up and down. Seen in Berlin, Germany, on the Ministry of Economy and Energy building.”

Identified

They’re likely part of a clock — a sculptural design where the moving balls track the time, similar to versions found in other cities.

Mystery 20 · Solved

“What is this foldy metal thing attached to the side of my back porch?”

Identified

It’s most likely a can crusher — pull the lever and the metal panel presses down to flatten cans.

Mystery 21 · Solved

“Every house on this road has a chain-like series of cups under the corners of their gutters. I’m guessing it’s for rainwater — but what is it and how does it work?”

Identified

It’s a rain chain — a decorative alternative to a downspout that guides rainwater down the chain and into the ground or a basin.

Mystery 22 · Solved

“What was this metal box used for? (matchbox included for scale.)”

Identified

It’s an old German ammunition box.

Mystery 23 · Solved

“Two of these buildings on a lot where new housing is about to be built.”

Identified

They’re bat houses, built to give bats a place to roost.

The post 23 Mystery Objects That Left the Internet Stumped appeared first on Barnorama.

Some objects refuse to explain themselves. Pulled from garages, attics, barns and crawl spaces, each of these strange artifacts left its finder completely stumped — until someone online finally cracked the case. Scroll through, take your best guess, then see if you were right.

MYSTERY 01Solved ✓

“Found this while cleaning out my grandad’s garage — some sort of mechanism with moving metal parts inside.”

Identified

It’s music-on-hold for a home telephone. The phone was placed on top of it to keep the caller entertained if they had to be put on hold during a conversation.

MYSTERY 02Solved ✓

“Strange device found among things left behind by a tenant. The plastic lid screws onto the rubber sack and contains… balls.”

Identified

It’s an analog of an ordinary slingshot. You shoot metal balls with it — put a ball into the rubber sack and pull it back.

MYSTERY 03Solved ✓

“Found this in a cupboard at an old farm and have no clue what it is.”

Identified

It’s an old device for making mayonnaise.

MYSTERY 04Solved ✓

“Some kind of metal cage with a clamping action when you pull the handle.”

Identified

It’s a foot-operated potato planter.

MYSTERY 05Solved ✓

“Received as a gift from my father-in-law, but I have no idea what it is used for.”

Identified

“I’m curious about the context of this gift — historically it was used to keep a patient’s mouth open during surgery to prevent suffocation.”

MYSTERY 06Solved ✓

“Found it on the street — it’s filled with little metal balls.”

Identified

It’s a counterweight for an old adjustable-height chandelier or ceiling lamp.

MYSTERY 07Solved ✓

“Suddenly found it in my house one day. It’s metal and relatively flexible, but it feels like it would break at some point.”

Identified

It’s “boning” from a corset.

MYSTERY 08Solved ✓

“The part above the handle rotates…”

Identified

It’s a kite spindle — likely a reproduction of the ones used from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s.

MYSTERY 09Solved ✓

“They’re about 2 feet tall, holes go through to the base, and they’re made of clay, I think.”

Identified

They look like chimney pots — probably removed when demolishing a house or upgrading a fireplace. If they’re attached to something underground, they may sit on top of a vent.

MYSTERY 10Solved ✓

“What is this oval metal tool? Found it in a box of sewing and craft supplies.”

Identified

It’s a handle for carrying books. Two straps would pass through the holes on each end and wrap around the stack of books.

MYSTERY 11Solved ✓

“Found this in the crawl space of a home. No engraving to hint at what it is, what it’s for, or how old it might be.”

Identified

It’s a gas heater from around the 1930s–50s. You’re seeing the side (the gas valve) and the back (the covered flue opening).

MYSTERY 12Solved ✓

“What is this wooden and metal vintage thing?”

Identified

It’s a snooker cue tipper. The cue goes into the open end to straighten and shape the tip, and the file slots in horizontally to square it off — basically a pencil sharpener for a snooker cue.

MYSTERY 13Solved ✓

“What’s this clip thing? I’ve found it on a lot of the vintage jewelry I bought online.”

Identified

It’s a dress clip. Often worn in pairs and clipped around the neckline of a dress, blouse or coat — designed not to leave a hole in the fabric the way a brooch would.

MYSTERY 14Solved ✓

“What is the use of this fourth piece of cutlery I saw in a German museum?”

Identified

It’s a baby food pusher, quite common in the 1800s through the early 1900s.

MYSTERY 15Solved ✓

“Found this room in an abandoned building. What was it for, and what are these things hanging from the ceiling?”

Identified

It’s a miners’ changing room. The hooks and baskets lift work clothes up and out of the way for the next shift.

MYSTERY 16Solved ✓

“It had a partial label on it and a picture of a ski jumper. Any clue?”

Identified

It’s a vintage ski wax iron.

MYSTERY 17Solved ✓

“Found in an old barn — the lid holds a mirror inside, the bag is burlap within and a different material outside, blue inside and with no smell.”

Identified

It’s a lady’s reticule — a tiny handbag popular in the 19th and early 20th century.

MYSTERY 18Solved ✓

“Found it in the attic of a house I recently bought. It’s about 11.5″ × 5″, and the little flappy arms fold completely down, forward or backward.”

Identified

It’s a folding tie rack.

MYSTERY 19Solved ✓

“Round, steel, with a rotating ball on a tripod and multiple lens or light holes. Bought at auction in 1988 — even the seller didn’t know what it was.”

Identified

It’s an operating room light with some pieces missing.

The post 19 Mystery Objects That Left the Internet Completely Stumped appeared first on Barnorama.

This big hunk of metal found near some train tracks:

“Slag from a thermite rail weld would be my guess.”

“Totally this. They welded the tracks near where I used to work and there was tons of slag left behind. They were collected in square pans on each side of the weld.”

This pair of heavy metal legs that contain screw holes:

“Vintage school desk frame.”

This giant brass key that belonged to someone’s grandfather:

“Found it! It’s an ADT Type W Watchman’s Key for an 1180 Watchman system. They would do the rounds, and the key would fit into systems to ensure that the watchman visited all the waypoints on the route.”

This conical metal item that was found on the shores of the Black Sea in Istanbul, Türkiye:

“It looks very similar to the nosecone and structure on the ramjets for a Russian KH-31 missile”

“While nowhere near as rare as it once was — it used to be called ‘unobtainium’ by engineers — titanium is still pretty rare for anything but fighter jets and sporks. (Yes, I know titanium is used for other things; I was trying to be funny.)

That said, wash your hands. Some of the materials used on fighters these days are hideously carcinogenic, and it says ‘don’t touch’ right there.”

This pointed, pickle-shaped green glass found on the banks of the River Thames in West London, UK:

“Base of an old torpedo bottle!”

This hard string with two oval-shaped kernels attached to either end:

“It looks to me like the anther and filament parts that make up the stamen from a fake flower. The string would be folded in half so that the ‘kernels’ are at the same end, and the part with the red stain would be at the bottom of the inside of the flower. The red stain makes me think that the petals were red and the dye has run.”

“I can confirm that’s exactly what this is. My mom used to yell at me all the time for pulling these out of her fake flowers. I used them as bolas for my action figures.”

This inch-long piece of metal found on the beach:

“The remains of the jacket from a 1″ Nordenfelt projectile. There was originally a steel core held in that brass cup. The idea was that it would punch through boat hulls, and the brass part was to engage with the rifling of the gun. The gun itself is pretty weird and very old (1870-1890). You fired it by cranking a lever back and forth. It was widely used, too.”

This metal device found in central Kentucky:

“It’s a mouthpiece puller for brass instruments. Looks like it’s missing a piece on top of the center screw.”

“You are absolutely correct. I looked up what that looks like, but modern ones are much simpler designs using fewer but precision-made screws. However, I found one on this page that’s very similar in shape and concept (but made of metal) called a Ferree’s puller.”

This tray made of paper pulp the owner believed was related to embalming:

“It’s a cranial cap. You put it under the head to absorb leaking brain goo.”

“You would place that on the pillow of a casket for someone who has had a cranial autopsy done (removal of the brain). It is to absorb any liquid that may seep through the sutures used on the scalp. Better in this than all over the pillow because it would most likely be blood. I’ve been a mortician for 40 years.”

“Funeral Director/Embalmer here. Agree with the other posters. Could be wrong, but this one looks used. Would not recommend touching bare-handed. We use numerous chemicals that an alive person should not touch directly.”

This metal wind-up device found in the crawl space of an old house:

“Looks like the drive mechanism to an antique toy car.”

“Looks like the handle for a dust mop.”

This cast-iron device mounted to a wooden base that spins and chops down:

“I know this one; it’s a Victorian-era food chopper! I know it from this video. I think yours is the same manufacturer as in the video, the now well-known measuring equipment maker Starrett.”

This spring-shaped piece of metal with a pointy tip:

“Spiral poultry lacer.”

This yellow, hinged piece of plastic found in a sewing kit:

“It’s used to attach jeans buttons. The button goes on one side, and the rivet pointy thing goes on the other, and you snap them together.”

This wooden thing with a particle board “blade” and hollow drum found in a thrift store in Pennsylvania:

“That’s a Tremulant (aka vox humana) for an old reed organ.”

These two metal rectangles, one with a blade and one with an indented side:

“It’s a magnesium fire starter, but the flint rod has separated from the magnesium and is missing.”

This 23″ long, hollow metal tube with a connector of some kind:

“A part of a helicopter rotor?”

“It is definitely this. The triangular part is used to affix the blades, and in the middle is a spring assembly that absorbs the forces and allows the rotation of the arm. Probably from an Alouette 2 or 3.”

This small bendable item with one adhesive side:

“Bendable/adjustable cable manager.”

This little tiny pocket on the back of this shirt:

“It’s a vestigial device deliberately installed into a great number of imported shirts so that they classify as a specific article of clothing which avoids a tariff.”

“It’s called a ‘nurse pocket,’ and it’s there for reasons others commented.”

“After some discussion, the original poster, u/kurtneylove, said they’d found the details: “Apparently, they are ‘mini-hammocks’ for toddlers.””

Credits: www.buzzfeed.com

The post 20 Mystery Items That Got Solved by Internet Experts appeared first on Barnorama.