What the heck is this thing?

[SkyPirate]

A friend of mine found this. It is about 3 inches long, the arm sticking off the back is set in a ball so it moves in all directions. The rounded part seems to be some sort of plastic. It is pinkish in color, very similar to the color of an old baby doll. I was thinking it was part of a baby doll, like the leg or shoulder, and the armm or rest of the leg would have been attached to the swiveling part. What do you think?

 

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[UncleVinnys]

It might be a measuring device to judge distance on maps.

Just a guess.

See: http://www.gilai.com/product_1280/Map-Measure-with-Ivory-Handle

 

[AKiwi]

What about one of those contraptions (toys) that move and then hits an obstacle and the arm comes around and it moves off in an entirely different direction?
That little loopy thing looks like a winder... clockwork?
As you can see, I am only guessing

 

[vhs07]

Looks like a wind up mechanism to me also. I've seen clocks with that type of winder on the back. Does it turn?

 

[Breezie]

Sky, I think it is the top to a vintage baby crib wind-up mobile. Wind it, the arm goes around, and the mobile hangs from the arm. Neat find, Breezie

 

[Gunrunner61]

Miss Breezie, You sho 'nuff good at this game of guess.

 

[Breezie]

Miss Breezie, You sho 'nuff good at this game of guess.

Thanks Gunny . . .. maybe Sky's friend can spray the inside with some WD-40 and loosen the mechs to see if it will move/wind. Breezie

 

[Dano Sverige]

I was thinking wind up part of a musical box....but i can go with Breezies guess.

 

[Breezie]

I was thinking wind up part of a musical box....but i can go with Breezies guess.

Dano, some of those vintage crib mobiles did play music while they rotated. Just about all of the new ones of today play something; generally some type of lullaby. Breezie

 

[Dano Sverige]

Yup...wasn't disagreeing, just thought because of the arm yours was a better guess than mine.

 

[Breezie]

Yup...wasn't disagreeing, just thought because of the arm yours was a better guess than mine.

Dano, I wasn't disagreeing either, but was glad you mentioned the music because I had forgotten they had music boxes. Breezie

 

[SkyPirate]

Looks like a wind up mechanism to me also. I've seen clocks with that type of winder on the back. Does it turn?

No, the little D ring does not turn.

 

[Breezie]

Looks like a wind up mechanism to me also. I've seen clocks with that type of winder on the back. Does it turn?

No, the little D ring does not turn.

Sky, are you saying the D ring is frozen/rusted and cannot turn or are you saying it was made not to turn? My bet is it is frozen-up because why would there be a moving arm without a means to make it move? Breezie

 

[Dano Sverige]

Hmm...if it's not a wind up mechanism then it's a hanger. Seems like there's obviously some part or parts missing from that arm, now we just have to work out what those parts are!
Gotta admit...that arm really reminds me of an old on the wall type can opener, The rotational handle part. "Kitchen utensil"! There ya go, my next guess lol.

 

[Breezie]

Well, I guess we'll have to wait for Sky to let us know about the D-ring. If it were mine, I'd remove the screws, and look underneath to see if the D-ring shank is or was connected to a mechanism. Breezie

 

[SkyPirate]

Sky, I think it is the top to a vintage baby crib wind-up mobile. Wind it, the arm goes around, and the mobile hangs from the arm. Neat find, Breezie

Good idea but it does not wind. The arm sticking off looks like it had something attached at the round end but was broken off. The little D ring does not turn. I am thinking it is part of a baby doll body, like the shoulder or butt. There may have been a wire attached at the D ring attaching the other "butt cheek" or shoulder internally. Then another limb may have been attached by the long piece. Just my guess.

 

[SkyPirate]

Looks like a wind up mechanism to me also. I've seen clocks with that type of winder on the back. Does it turn?

No, the little D ring does not turn.

Sky, are you saying the D ring is frozen/rusted and cannot turn or are you saying it was made not to turn? My bet is it is frozen-up because why would there be a moving arm without a means to make it move? Breezie

made not to turn.

 

[Breezie]

Sky said: It's made NOT to turn.

Otay Buckwheat, with that being said, maybe it's the butt, knee, or shoulder of a string PUPPET marionette. It all makes sense now. Can you post a pic of the front and a profile pic? Breezie

 

[Baldingboy]

I agree with doll joint. The D ring would probably be where the string attached that held it to the body of the doll.

 

[SkyPirate]

Sky said: It's made NOT to turn.

Otay Buckwheat, with that being said, maybe it's the butt, knee, or shoulder of a string PUPPET marionette. It all makes sense now. Can you post a pic of the front and a profile pic? Breezie

Sorry I can't. I took those pictures at our clubs detecting meeting. I do not have the item. Puppet is a good guess, I did not think of that one.