I Still Don't Know What These Are :shrug:

[Mat in MA]

I've had many people on different forums make guesses from cookie cutters to beach chair parts for these little blue things. Many insist that they are cookie cutters, but I don't buy it, they're just too small. I've done extensive searching on the internet and still haven't found an answer to this puzzle.

They are not sand toys. Every bag of sand toys I've ever seen have toys made out of plastic. They also have more than one shape in the bag and each is usually a different color.

These have been found by detectorists from Maine to the Gulf Coast and only on salt water beaches. Everyone that has found one says that they are all THE SAME COLOR, SIZE and SHAPE. Some may be more rusted than others but they are all exactly the same. Where did they come from? What are they used for?

My thought is that they are something off of a boat or ship of some kind, possibly a fishing or lobster boat. I have spoken with lobster and fishing people and they don't know what they are either and they are not part of lobster traps.

[attachment 151151 whatzit1.jpg]

 

[GoGoGopher]

Some kind of boat part, or some casing that is discarded???

 

[woodwizard]

might go to a fishing forum or one that has to do with marine stuff and post.

 

[muggsc]

I would lean more toward sailboat racing. I've seen similar pieces used to determine who has right of way etc.
Thanks,
Cal

 

[candcantiques]

They are inserts for copper rain gutters. They cut the hole in the bottom of the gutter. Seal those pieces in the hole with the longest portion sticking out of the bottom of the gutter then attach the downspot to that piece sticking out under the gutter.

 

[Mat in MA]

[size=large]Rain Gutters? Really. Get Serious! Look at these things, they are only about an inch or so long by about 3/4 of an inch wide. Just how much water do you think will go through that small area. I put them next to a ruler so you can see the size.

Also, if they are inserts for rain gutters why are they all blue? Every one of them thats ever been found is blue. Copper rain gutters are copper brown until the patina turns them green. Even the colors don't match.

Just how many rain gutters have you seen get washed up at the ocean or even dug one out of the sand at a beach?

Some people just go on these forums so they can hear themselves talk and don't know a darn thing they are talking about. If you don't know what they are, then don't say anything. You may open your mouth and and let the stupid out.[/size]

 

[Mat in MA]

[size=large]Good thought. I'd had others say it may be part of a sailboat where the rope may pass through. I've gone to marinas and those people don't know what they are. So I'm still in the dark. Thanks for trying.[/size]

 

[flash5153]

I have spent many of nights trying to figure out what these are. I swear I have seen them when I was a kid,,but I just can't figure it out.

I keep going to an ice cube tray,,but it just can't be!!

Thanks Mat,,,it's driving me crazy. I even posted your picture on different forums asking if anyone knew. There are some hair brained answers,,,but not a single good one!!

You say they are blue?? They look green to me, or teal.

Maybe they came with a game or certain toys and used as a separator to hold a action figure . They did use allot of metal in the past.
I sure would like to know.

 

[Mat in MA]

[size=large]They are actually a light blue. I have them sitting on a background of red and the ruler is plastic tan. I have ruled out games or toys of any kind. The top side is rolled making it smooth, but the bottom on all these have a sharp edge. Too sharp for any youngster to play with.

I know what you mean about hairbrained answers. Some people just don't think.

These things have to be something nautical since they have been found all along the east coast and gulf coast. Never found inland anywhere and they don't seem to be on the west coast either.

Here's a thought. Could it be that they made their way from Europe across the Atlantic and wound up here?

Another possiblility is they originated in Central America or Mexico, got into the Gulf and then the Gulf stream took them around Florida and up the east coast. Anything's possible as they're not that heavy and as a matter of fact they are quite light and could travel along the oceans stream very easily.[/size]

 

[Mat in MA]

[size=large]My thanks to WaterWalker and Jim W. for the solution to my puzzle. These things are also known as "Bottomless Boats". In reality they are part of a Sand Castle building set. These are used as doors and windows. Again, thanks guys for the solution and Happy Hunting!!![/size]


[attachment 206984 cast.jpg]

 

[JH]

Now that's a relief. I actually printed a picture off and had different folks at work asking everybody they knew to see if we could find the answer to your question. I spent some time myself online trying to find out what they were. Curiosity kept the drive alive. Congrats on finally having the puzzle solved. Now I'll have to find another "whatzit" to work on. It was fun while it lasted!

 

[flash5153]

Well,, I can sleep at night now!!! lol It was said many times they were sand toys. Who would believe it?? Not me,,it really is hard to believe. But the mystery is solved!!!!

I went and looked this up in a search to make sure some one didn't photo shop it!!! It is good!!!!! lol