Can You Guess What They Were Used For?

Item #1: The Coin Collector

This mixed metal item with slots and side connectors was used by train and bus conductors to collect fares. They dropped coins into the slots and retrieved them from the bottom. The hooks allowed attachment to their belts. Surprisingly, modern versions still exist where payment is not required upon entry.

Item #2: The Sand-Filled Swim Cap

This cap, with a feminine design and chin straps, was an early handmade swim cap from the 1920s. “Rubber materials were hard to come by for home sewers,” so they filled it with sand to block water and allowed swimmers to choose their own fabric design instead of being limited to rubber.

Item #3: The Iron Flue Damper

This iron piece with stamped sides and a swiveling plate is an iron flue damper. These dampers, though rare today, are still in use. Discovering such items in antique shops feels like stepping back in time.

Item #4: The Victorian Shop Dispenser

This ornate metal box with a beveled glass front and a sliding door is a Victorian shop dispenser. It was used for selling bulk goods, like sugar or candy. The glass front allowed customers to see the quality of the goods. This particular dispenser had a label for gunpowder and a decorative picture of hunting dogs.

These mystery items remind us of the ingenuity and creativity of past generations. So, how many did you guess correctly?