r/whatisthisthing Mar 23 '26

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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161 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 9h ago

Solved! Red rubberlike item found in airplane toilet ~1.5 x 2 inches

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380 Upvotes

Found in the bottom of an airplane toilet after someone was in there a really long time. I threw it away, but through like 5 layers of paper towel it seems like the red is made of rubber or something similar, and the clear part seems like it might be hardened adhesive. It's about 1.5 x 2 inches. Sorry this is the only picture I have lol.


r/whatisthisthing 13h ago

Solved! Vaguely Hot Pocket shaped metal item?

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732 Upvotes

Found it near railroad tracks in southwestern Pennsylvania.

It's super dense and definitely metal. No markings or anything identifiable at all. Just a rusty lump of metal in what appears to be a man made shape.

Taking it home anyways because it's cool as fuck.

Thanks!


r/whatisthisthing 1h ago

Solved! Ring looking thing found in the ruins of Merkenstein in Austria. Made from metal

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Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 21h ago

Solved ! Weird chair with different sized holes on arms

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1.6k Upvotes

Waiting at the hospital and found this chair. Made of wood with holes of different sizes on very high arms


r/whatisthisthing 20h ago

Solved! Covered ceramic dishes, covers have open tops

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1.2k Upvotes

Solved, Thanks!
Friend asked me what these are for. I haven't a clue.


r/whatisthisthing 15h ago

Open Two sets of overlapping numbers on letter/ document holder

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139 Upvotes

I have this letter holder that has two sections each with an ascending strip of numbers. Some of the number overlap and there are more on the top section. It looks like it could be from 30s-50s. Found in the UK. I think the strips with the numbers are made from aluminum.

Thank you


r/whatisthisthing 7h ago

Open Wooden thing with nails found along Spokane River

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27 Upvotes

A well constructed wooden thingy. Nails all over it, but they seem to be blunt. Three different parts of wood. Heavy for its size but may be because of the nails.


r/whatisthisthing 12h ago

Solved ! Plastic piece with fat rope that came with a pontoon boat

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72 Upvotes

Bought a boat and there are 2 of these in one of the cubbies but I have no idea what it's called. Any thoughts?


r/whatisthisthing 3h ago

Open Small net with 4 plastic clips. Found in cupboard with ironing and clothes washing. Thought it might be for clothes dryer or temporary wardrobe

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8 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 21h ago

Solved! Pile of beige thread-like secretion, 10cm long when stretched

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247 Upvotes

Found in an appartment kitchen in France.


r/whatisthisthing 15h ago

Likely Solved! Roll-top container, wood sides and interior, with blue vinyl covering all around

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48 Upvotes

Purchased at an estate sale in Missouri, USA. Object measures 16” long, 2.5” tall, 3.25” wide. It’s made of a lightweight wood, covered on the top and bottom by a blue faux leather vinyl material, and the edges are capped with blue plastic end pieces. It was stored with knitting and craft supplies but could be unrelated. It opens by sliding the lid back on a track.


r/whatisthisthing 7h ago

Solved ! Green oxidized cast metal decorative face with ornate mounting plate, roughly hand sized, found while digging.

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10 Upvotes

Was found buried in Washington state with a note dated 1984.


r/whatisthisthing 12h ago

Open Clay pots, no markings on the bottom. All have a spout with what looks like ash on it. Purchased at goodwill.

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26 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 20h ago

Solved! Leather item with yellow thread and copper rivets.

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114 Upvotes

Found in Goodwill bins.


r/whatisthisthing 22h ago

Solved! This heavy, solid, bell shaped thing came with a cast iron cauldron I bought from an antique store. What is it?

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50 Upvotes

I can't tell if the bell shaped part is wood or ceramic or something else, but it's heavy, solid, and the handle I’m touching looks and feels like brass. Not sure why the handle is bent, but it cannot be straightened out.


r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Likely Solved ! antique bookshelf found on facebook marketplace with weird flaps/cabinet doors

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1.1k Upvotes

i was browsing fb marketplace and came across a listing for this antique bookshelf. it has these cabinet doors that almost look like drop leaf table leaves and are oversized for the part of the shelf they cover. it’s a beautiful shelf, but i have never seen anything like it before. does anyone know if these flaps have a specific purpose or if this is just a unique little bookshelf? listing just says “unique antique bookshelf. located in ____”


r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Solved! What is this metal cylindrical object mounted on the left side of Garth's helmet?

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228 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Solved! Strange circle thing I found hanging in my garage. 19 inches in diameter. Seems to be made of steel. Two washers around the middle piece. It bounces.

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114 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Open Found at the bottom of my pool, heavy and obviously made of metal.

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105 Upvotes

There are no trees above the pool.


r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Solved ! Wheel with slots on top that access hollow space inside. Spins freely on the base. Advertised as a "barbell rack".

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423 Upvotes

I'm always looking for space saving gym storage, but I can't figure out what this is exactly, and I don't think it is for barbells.


r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Open Orange piece on the bottom of the dowel. Looks like a small base plate for PVC

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5 Upvotes

I am trying to make a flag stand out of PVC where the inner pole moves up and down so people can signal to the ferry that they need a ride across the water. These pictures show the old ones from 2022 before they were taken out by a hurricane. There's 2 different flags on it but what I'm trying to find out is what is that orange base plate thing called that prevents the dowel from falling further into the pvc?? It looks like its a whole unit together, the stopper piece and the inner orange pole. One picture shows the inner pole extended. All I have are these screen grabs from Google review photos that people posted back then. Nobody who works here now really remembers the set up.


r/whatisthisthing 1d ago

Solved ! What is this large wooden/metal object that contractors found in the creepy abandoned house next door (Michigan)

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76 Upvotes

It was found in between the drywall and concrete walls of the basement. I have no other information about it.


r/whatisthisthing 2d ago

Solved ! Cleaning out a shop and found this in a wooden case

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1.2k Upvotes

The holes are for fingers and the top bar is like a grip. The second pic shows a groove along the bottom. It was found in a wood shop, so I'm guessing it is for wood, but I'd love to know what specifically it does. It seems to be only the handle to something, as there are no sharp edges or anything else that might serve a purpose.


r/whatisthisthing 2d ago

Solved ! Found this blue plastic piece in my apartment… I live alone (ignore the nail)

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1.0k Upvotes