/r/whatisthisthing
For the identification of mysterious objects
A place to find out what that odd-looking thing that you stumbled across actually is.
Guidelines
GOOGLE your item's description and keywords and do an image search BEFORE POSTING HERE.
Then check FREQUENTLY ASKED THINGS. You may not be aware you have a common item.
THEN READ THIS GUIDE on what to include in your post before posting.
Also, check out our WIKI.
Rules apply to ALL comments, not just top level replies.
Be civil. Being otherwise will get you banned. Reddiquette
Be helpful / No Jokes Jokes and other unhelpful comments, even after the item has been identified, are bannable offenses, even on first offense. If your comment doesn't help, don't comment.
Try to include a link to a source of some sort when posting an answer. Everyone's got an opinion, facts help.
When what you're looking for is found, reply "Solved!" to the earliest comment with the answer.
DO NOT DELETE YOUR POST after an attempt has been made to answer, or if you intend to repost to get visibility. This will result in at least a temporary ban.
Be detailed with your post title as well as the information therein, in order to help those trying to help you. This will help to eliminate vague posts.
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Check the F.A.T. Check the Frequently Asked Things before posting.
Posts must adhere to submission guidelines All posts must adhere to the submission guidelines.
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NOTE: To mark your submissions solved reply "Solved!" Click here for more info.
Other Helpful Subreddits
Your submission is likely to be removed if it better fits one of these:
/r/HelpMeFind if you know what it is and want to find where you can get one or find more information on it
/r/tipofmytongue if you know of a movie, game, song, etc. - but cannot recall the name.
/r/translator for translation of writing
/r/AskDocs for health/medical related things
/r/AskVet for animal health/medical related things
/r/whatsthisbug for weird bug identification (& nests/eggs)
/r/whatsthisbird for bird identification
/r/whatsthisplant for plant identification
/r/whatsthisrock for rock identification (or, dammit Marie, minerals!)
/r/whatisthispainting for paintings, artists signatures
/r/whatsthisworth if you know what it is, and want to find out what it's worth
/r/whereisthis if you have a picture of a location but don't know where it is
/r/whatisthisthing
2,721,102 Subscribers
Metal, magnetic, approx 2" diameter, one half of a container. Found in a fishing pond with "LL Bean" and "Freeport, Maine" printed on the almost disintegrated paper label.
My son likes to magnet fish (sweep bodies of water with a magnet on a cord). Today we pulled this out of a local fishing pond using the magnet. I'm from Freeport, Maine, so we were very excited to be able to read the LL Bean label on this little piece of metal. However, I've searched online and can't figure out WHAT this tin might have been used for.
For more description, this appears to be the metal lid of a container, and the other half is missing. I initially thought the word above "Freeport" might be "Lure." But closer inspection leads me to believe it says something else.
I thought maybe this was part of a container some fishing supplies or tobacco (chew). Image search hasn't yielded results, although "Fly Dope" searches looked promising.
Any insight?
03:40 UTC
This come out of a printer. Anyone know what it is? It looks to have a tiny glass bead suspended there in the celephane. And two wires that power it. I don’t know if it’s some kind of light or heat source or what.
23:15 UTC
What is this small brass thing, found in a drawer in a Chemistry lab. Could it be the gas adjustment knob for a Bunsen burner?
22:54 UTC
Small silver bar attached to electrical on the ceiling of an older building.
22:29 UTC
2cm black rubbery plastic thingies, 2 came in a small bag
15:39 UTC
What is this bag of powder stuffed in my vent?
Was cleaning my room and looked behind my hanger rack thing at this vent and noticed this weird bag stuffed in the vent. I tried to pull it out but it ripped open and white powder spilled out. It’s pretty jammed in there, I think the fabric of the bag probably used to be stronger but now breaks easily, if I try to pull on it any more I’m sure it’s fully going to rip and drop mysterious white powder everywhere. Im worried it might be some sort of chemicals? Anyone know what this is or why it would be stuffed in my vent? This is a rental btw, only lived here since last August
02:51 UTC
Found in the woods near what may have been an old homestead. About 24" in height and has two roughly 4" holes on each side. A screen on the front and rod through the top allowing it to swing perhaps. There was also a small valve attached to the back.
02:45 UTC
Spiral exhaust from some sort of small industrial building
22:55 UTC
Found this weird orange yellow square thing, wrapped in plastic...thoughts?
Smells kind of woody. Very smooth texture. Feels very compressed. Have not yet tasted it.
It is not shatter or oil of any kind.
Thoughts?
22:14 UTC
Yellow tube with mesh bottom, filled with paper towel hanging in the woods.
20:27 UTC
65mm x 38mm 9 gram rubber piece with 3 prongs and round attachments on other side, found in a Mini Cooper glove compartment
20:21 UTC
Found this long metal object in a drawer when I was cleaning out a house. It's about 18in long. About 3/8th diameter. Bonus points for the small metal tube.
19:54 UTC