It is unmarked, has four fins, and is made of metal. A hole is drilled in it. In the 1940s or 1950s, the previous owner of the house served in the US Army.
Despite the lack of markings, it appears to be some sort of military grenade.
THE SPECIFIC ANSWERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Doorgunner43 comments: I’m by no means an expert, but I’m guessing that although it looks like a historical ordinance, it’s actually a 50’s-60’s hood ornament. years or maybe a toy car. I think I’m on the right track, but let’s get the experts to weigh in first. It is not a decree, but some kind of decoration.
Says ye_olde_tosser:
It appears to be an ancient Expendable Bathythermograph (XBT) weight that has been removed from the tube and is missing the copper wire that was attached to the back. The Navy often uses it for sonar and uses it to measure water temperature and depth.
Ok-Push9899 says:
The images are incredibly confusing and aggravating. The last one appears to be a completely different but similar object, while the previous three are unable to convey the essence of its three-dimensional shape.
According to @joerbrosius, during WWI, planes flew overhead and dropped metal “bombs” on the enemy that contained no explosives, only gravity. It appears to be a replica of one of them.
Tomvee33 comments:
It looks a bit similar, but the pictures don’t do it justice. The description claims it has four fins and is hard to identify, but it doesn’t appear to have a front opening.
UTgabe asks:
Is the object properly balanced at the hole location? It seems to be something that indicates the direction of the wind.
Copropositor says:
For fishing, I would assume downrigger weight. The line is attached higher up on the line and the hole is for a line or heavy line of some kind. You can troll your bait at any depth you desire after throwing it all out of the boat on a deep lake. To prevent the line from spinning and tangling, the shape of the torpedo keeps it pointed in one direction.
“It’s definitely this,” snapped BalusBubalisSFW. “I’ve seen downrigger weights shaped like these torpedoes before.
MomsBoner replied:
“Probably homemade.” We use a variety of weights, most of which are hand-made by recreational metal workers in our homes.
Woods Edge replied:
“That’s the solution; they come in different sizes and can be used for other purposes, such as balancing objects in water.”
As a hydrologist, we employ many of these with varying weights to keep our gauge boats level during heavy flows.
We call them bombs, of course.
Complexturd Comment:
From the picture on page 14, it is clear that there are holes in the ribs a “center hole (water inlet)” on the front tip, and a “center hole (water outlet)” on the back.
There are clearly no such holes in the original photo, and I’m sure the “Water Inlet” and “Water Outlet” are critical to the functionality of the gadget you linked to.
Comment by Level9TraumaCenter:
I considered that too. About thirty years ago I bought one from Jerryco, a surplus company, and it was somewhat comparable. Now known as American Science and Surplus, Jerryco used to have the most bizarre items.
In conclusion, a metal object found in a garage in the 1950s has given rise to various theories about its origin and purpose, despite its lack of markings and its mysterious appearance. The diverse suggestions from commenters reflect a range of possibilities, from a hood ornament or toy car accessory to a downrigger weight used in fishing. Some have speculated that it could be an Expendable Bathythermograph (XBT) weight used by the Navy for sonar measurements, while others believe it could be a replica of a WW1 unexploded bomb.
The idea that it could be a homemade object or a counterweight used for a variety of purposes, including hydrology, also highlights the object’s potential versatility. Despite the confusion and differing opinions, many commentators agree on its similarities to downrigger weights used in fishing due to its torpedo shape and functional design.
Ultimately, without a definitive designation or historical context, the exact nature of the object remains uncertain. However, the range of plausible uses suggested reflects its interesting nature and the wide variety of items that can sometimes be found in old garages.