25 points

At the beginning of the first world war they plotted all military operations using these giant pins. Later in the conflict ‘map pins’ were developed and these ‘land pins’ became obsolete. Another fascinating example of how the horrors of war pushed technology forwards in civilian applications.

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24 points

Imho joke answers should be against the rules of the sub.

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23 points

Looks like piece of a wheel and an axle from a tractor or a truck or something.

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25 points

It’s in the centre of France so it’s actually the France axle.

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9 points

Please don’t touch it or you’ll make France all wobbly

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3 points

The IWW would like you to touch it

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6 points

…otherwise it’d just be sparkling wheel shaft.

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6 points

sparking shaft

I should call him …

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7 points

Or train

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9 points

Marking the exact center of France

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6 points
*

i remember seeing somewhere in paris the prime pin

must be around Notre Dame

edit: yes, it indeed is there : point zéro

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7 points

It looks very rough, it could be an unfinished part: a fusion that hasn’t received the subsequent machining.
Maybe a flywheel.

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5 points

I think that’s just from many years of rust and wear. I doubt that’s the original surface finish

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1 point

Could be both

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4 points

A large ship engine valve? Maybe an unfinished casting? Finished ones here

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4 points

If that’s a valve, the cylinder is probably big enough to climb inside!

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2 points

I think it might be a riser or part of a sprue from a larger cast part

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What is this thing?

!whatisthisthing@lemmy.world

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Let us help you identify that mysterious object you’ve found.

Currently in CHALLENGE mode: If you’ve got something obscure knocking about, post a picture, and let’s see how we do. Please prefix such posts with “CHALLENGE:” so we know we’ve got a fighting chance.

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