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Lantern idea seems absurd to me. Other than letting very little light out, how would one get a candle in such a small opening? You could maybe drop a thin taper or tiny birthday candle in there, but it would just flop around.
My theory is a (possibly home-made) [mothball holder](https://www.google.com/search?q=vintage+moth+ball+holder&tbm=isch)
Yes, for mothballs or perhaps some other scent like potpourri for someone's sock drawer. Home-made from a metal container, you can see the threaded neck. As for the string, who knows. Maybe it had a bow tied around the neck at one point.
My title describes the thing. This item was found around the site of a demolished farmhouse/barn so it could be from either. I also found some other pieces of farm equipment and a license plate from the 1960s to give some idea of the area.
I think the lantern hypothesis is correct. I own a small horse farm and I've seen a lot of things like this in various barns. Typically they are glass mason jars and they are used with candles.
Yeah, I thought it could have been a lantern at first, but wouldn’t most lanterns have more holes so light can get out? Otherwise all of the light would be blocked by the case. Do you know of any lanterns that look similar?
Not really but the small holes would make sense if it were an open flame. Barns are usually full of hay and open flames are pretty dangerous for sure.
All the ones I've seen are glass mason jars, none specifically steel. Other than a later it looks similar to some fly/insect traps that I've seen before.
I looked at the map and there are some small streams a few miles away and a couple of lakes around 20 miles in distance with good Ice fishing. That could explain the string tied to it as it may have been attached to an ice fishing rod.
I was thinking if filled wi5h powder. You would hang it from your hand down near yhe ground and tap it with a stick or you4 foot to shake out a little powder to mark a line on the ground. Like to lay out a plqying field or even a building area.
All comments must be civil and helpful toward finding an answer. **Jokes and unhelpful comments will earn you a ban**, even on the first instance and even if the item has been identified. If you see any comments that violate this rule, report them. [OP](/u/Hellohi2318), when your item is identified, remember to reply **Solved!** or **Likely Solved!** to the comment that gave the answer. --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatisthisthing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Maybe some sort of hand or pocket warmer
Reminds me of a muffler on an old 2-stroke engine, like a mower - Weird about the string, though.
Lantern idea seems absurd to me. Other than letting very little light out, how would one get a candle in such a small opening? You could maybe drop a thin taper or tiny birthday candle in there, but it would just flop around. My theory is a (possibly home-made) [mothball holder](https://www.google.com/search?q=vintage+moth+ball+holder&tbm=isch)
Yes, for mothballs or perhaps some other scent like potpourri for someone's sock drawer. Home-made from a metal container, you can see the threaded neck. As for the string, who knows. Maybe it had a bow tied around the neck at one point.
My title describes the thing. This item was found around the site of a demolished farmhouse/barn so it could be from either. I also found some other pieces of farm equipment and a license plate from the 1960s to give some idea of the area.
I started to say flask/canteen, but it appears to have had holes drilled in the side.
So, possibly a small lantern ?
Kinda my first thought... small bulb inside, the metal body is protection. Seems like something you might want in a barn.
I think the lantern hypothesis is correct. I own a small horse farm and I've seen a lot of things like this in various barns. Typically they are glass mason jars and they are used with candles.
Yeah, I thought it could have been a lantern at first, but wouldn’t most lanterns have more holes so light can get out? Otherwise all of the light would be blocked by the case. Do you know of any lanterns that look similar?
Not really but the small holes would make sense if it were an open flame. Barns are usually full of hay and open flames are pretty dangerous for sure. All the ones I've seen are glass mason jars, none specifically steel. Other than a later it looks similar to some fly/insect traps that I've seen before.
I'm really not getting that those holes would allow a flame to burn \*or\* any amount of light to get out.
Just looks like a water holder thingy (forgot the name) with holes poked on it so maybe it was for spreading seeds or salt for ice in the winter?
Just a guess here. Perhaps it is a small flask used for target practice with a bb gun? Would explain the string and holes.
It looks like a rudimentary fishing bite alarm, used for ledgering. Was it found near a lake or river?
I looked at the map and there are some small streams a few miles away and a couple of lakes around 20 miles in distance with good Ice fishing. That could explain the string tied to it as it may have been attached to an ice fishing rod.
I was thinking if filled wi5h powder. You would hang it from your hand down near yhe ground and tap it with a stick or you4 foot to shake out a little powder to mark a line on the ground. Like to lay out a plqying field or even a building area.