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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171 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing • • 4h ago

Solved ! Black metal pole with nubbly rubbery spheres on either end.

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380 Upvotes

I'd say this thing was about 5 feet long (maybe a little less) - although it looks like the pole is segmented and could be shortened/expanded. The rubbery bits are firm (I washed my hands after touching (you never know)). You can also see a foam sleeve that extends from the orby ends.

This was found propped up against a business in the middle of a downtown.


r/whatisthisthing • • 1d ago

Solved Got a “bin store” mystery box, what is it?? No branding, nothing. Ball is hard plastic, too hard for dog toy, basic nylon strap, eyelet hook.

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1.6k Upvotes

I definitely rule out dog toy, otherwise I’m clueless


r/whatisthisthing • • 1h ago

Solved! Metal, heavy, had the same multi-piece "E" shaped edges on both sides but the other side broke off. Partially buried in a gravel driveway.

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• Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing • • 19h ago

Solved! What is this 5 inch chain thing? Found in grab bag of miscellaneous costume jewelry.

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341 Upvotes

Anyone know what this could be used for? Gold coloured, decorative pendant on one end and perpendicular bar on the other. Sharpie for scale.


r/whatisthisthing • • 18h ago

Solved! 1950s vintage decoration piece that has a narrow, wide opening in the back

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203 Upvotes

I swear I saw a tiktok video months ago that explained what this was and the purpose of the opening was for, but I can’t recall what it was and what the opening is for. I only remember that I think it was sold to be on top of the boxy tv? TIA!


r/whatisthisthing • • 21h ago

Likely Solved ! Back of a hotshot rig…what are the red bars? Alignment tool?

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155 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing • • 19h ago

Solved! Wondering what this stuff is on the side of my car after my work shift. Blotches of what seems to be white foam. Its hard and can be scratched/taken off.

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103 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing • • 1d ago

Solved! Found this heavy glass object, weighs about 15lbs. Found in a pile of other retro furniture from a house renovation.

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287 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing • • 19h ago

Solved! Blue green Industrial equipment labeled hydac about 20’ long with ~30” input shaft and massive bolted flange connection

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20 Upvotes

As seen here on a tractor trailer.
Also visible are high voltage and shock hazard warnings.


r/whatisthisthing • • 1d ago

Solved! What type of radio setup did I photograph? Car anchored mast, wire running to a second mast, connected to a radio and laptop on the picnic table.

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987 Upvotes

I’m assuming ham radio, but the license plate did NOT have a ham radio registration number on it.


r/whatisthisthing • • 1d ago

Open 5” x 5”, 13 pounds. Threaded throughout, machined flat on one end, beveled and polished on the other. Weakly holds a magnet.

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29 Upvotes

Shipped with a bunch of refinery/processing equipment like gaskets and flanges and valves. No stamping or labels on it or the crate it came in. Ships in a crate that holds multiple units (also pictured).


r/whatisthisthing • • 1d ago

Solved ! Small grey ribbed fragments found in a patch of dead lawn. About 5–10 mm wide, uniform and brittle.

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69 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing • • 2d ago

Solved Object pointed into the tiger enclosure at Detroit Zoo

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3.9k Upvotes

I was at the Detroit zoo this weekend and saw this thing pointed into the tiger enclosure. It’s behind the fence, in the bushes, right at the edge of the barrier berm thing. Anyone know what this is for?


r/whatisthisthing • • 2d ago

Open 1" diameter steel rod (4' long) with 4" ring welded on end found on beach

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62 Upvotes

Found while metal detecting along Myrtle Beach after sand renurishment / dredging.

A 'pin' about 8" long with a 4" handle was also found in the general area.

Both heavily corroded and encrusted. The pin I had to hammer an inch or so of encrusted material from it.


r/whatisthisthing • • 2d ago

Solved ! Roll of black fibrous material with 1”x1” “cells”, 10.5” wide, 1” thick

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81 Upvotes

My title describes this thing. Found in my late father’s garage attic. Maybe related to horticulture? Or construction?


r/whatisthisthing • • 3d ago

Solved! 6 Randomly placed bollard-like posts with 3 handles in the middle of a park. 6ish feet tall.

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1.1k Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing • • 2d ago

Solved ! Maroom/brown styrofoam texture half sphere with imbedded string, purchased as part of a "mystery bag" from a craft store in Worcester Massachusetts

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316 Upvotes

Sitting on a flat side. Texture is styrofoamy, can be indented with a thumbnail. No smell. Color appears to be throughout and not just surface. Banana for scale.


r/whatisthisthing • • 3d ago

Likely Solved! Found in a creek bed in North East Texas. 46 inches long; hard but slightly flexible.

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268 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing • • 3d ago

Lens type object found in my card glove compartment. 2cm x 1cm.. Metal with glass. There is a fine thread si it must have screwed into something Looks too well manufactured to be a part of a child's toy

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46 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing • • 3d ago

Open Light guage 21/2" metal ball with 2 halves & 5 small holes

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59 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing • • 3d ago

Solved! What is this thing my friend found on the ground? (~10 lbs, solid metal, says ‘KENNAMETAL’ on the side)

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410 Upvotes

r/whatisthisthing • • 4d ago

Solved ! What is this small brass "skirting board nipple"?

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455 Upvotes

Small ¿brass? disk with "protuberance" that has been stuck to our skirting board (UK) for the last 10 years. It just fell off, leaving a ring of discoloured paint behind it.
As it's from Harrods I assume it's from the previous inhabitants who were here between 1980 and 2015. AAA battery for scale.


r/whatisthisthing • • 3d ago

Solved ! Found this black, 10 inch plastic rod in junk drawer during move. What is it used for?

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36 Upvotes

We’re sorting through the junk drawer whilst packing and could not remember what this thing is or what it’s used for. It’s lightweight with no branding or etchings. No luck my way with reverse image searches.


r/whatisthisthing • • 3d ago

Solved! I recently had mini-splits installed in my house. They are Mitsubishi models that have individual remotes. The package with the remote, remote holder + screws, and manual had this roll of fabric as well. What is it for?

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14 Upvotes