This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

[GerryL]

What is it?

[Bigcypresshunter]

...at first I thought you said chicken soup!

[AKiwi]

Sorry but I don't know what size the coin donates...... but could it be a pigeon message capsule which was attached to the birds leg?... or some type of weird type of whistle?

[trikikiwi]

I'll follow in my fellow Kiwi's footsteps, I'll go the whole hog and suggest it is an animal caller maybe

Is it hollow all the way through?
Mike

[mojjax]

Tinder box ?

[GerryL]

This thing is about 6-7" long, the quarter is just there for size comparison. It has 3 separate compartments, a small one on each end (one is shown opened up, and the large middle one which is opened by rotating the outer "sleeve". One of the end compartments had a yellow residue in it.
-Gerry

[jglunt]

I don't know what it is but I would suggest that maybe whatever material was contained in both ends was combined in the center compartment for some reason....perhaps a chemical heater or some other kind of chemical reaction. Obviously, the center rotating cover meant for the material to be well controlled. Interesting item.

Jim

[Slipperyjack47]

Just a guess, but maybe something to do with candeling a egg to see if the yolk has developed or not?


HH
Slipperyjack47

[lonesomebob]

I dont know either but I found a shopsmith in an old chicken coop, the guy gave it to me.

[GpSnoopy]

Having been found in a chicken coop may well have no bearing at all in its actual purpose, but keeping in theme with the location;

Perhaps a sampling tube, to store 3 different types of samples, like grain.

Or maybe a medicine/mineral dispensing tube. Keep 2 different types of ingredients in the end compartments, use the middle to combine or even mix with some food then twist open to dispense.

Trying to google it, but hard to come up with the right search parameters to get anything relevant.

Somebody hopefully has seen one of these and can bring its use to light.

[txkickergirl]

in the second pic I thought I saw the letter L on the end of the tube, does the other end have any markings?

[Fast_Dave]

Does the middle section have any evidence of being used as a burner? At one point burned sulphur was used to get rid of fleas and lice. I could foresee setting a fire in the middle section to cause fumes from the end sections if filled with sulphur. Either that or it's a lipstick tube for a girl with REALLY big lips...

Or it could be a two person marijuana smoking pipe. When your friend's relatives wanted to get high, they snuck out to the chickencoop, filled the center part with the vile weed, and one of them sucked on each end. The draw was controlled by rotating the center hole open or closed. Of course you had to be on very good terms with the person sharing the pipe. Burning your lips on the metal was an added risk.

[TimC]

It looks like a grain sampler to me. I've used similar samplers when I worked at Pabst. The end caps may be for info on the sample in the middle. It was probably dropped by the farmer when he was tending to the chickens. Cluck, cluck.

TimC Nice find.

[GerryL]

Interesting ideas so far folks!

tx: I don't recall any letter markings on this piece.
I also didn't see anything that made me think it was heated or burned.
-Gerry

[EDDE]

messenger pigeon transport/delivery tube

[EDDE]

[Bigcypresshunter]

Ill take a wild guess. Something for rat poison? The poison could be stored in the ends, poured into the cap and deposited into the center. The center opening could be adjusted for the rats size. Im just guessing.

[trikikiwi]

It's a bit tricky trying to judge the whatsit's size from the coin. Is it possible to have a pic with a scale alongside?
Please

and I must admit, my very first thought was similar to mojjax's - re the tinder box. Lint in the middle, flints one side or t'other.
Mike

[Bigcypresshunter]

It's a bit tricky trying to judge the whatsit's size from the coin. Is it possible to have a pic with a scale alongside?
Please

and I must admit, my very first thought was similar to mojjax's - re the tinder box. Lint in the middle, flints one side or t'other.
Mike

Maybe the fire could be started in the center on windy days with the adjustable opening for air. It is 6-7 inches long or about 15-18 centimetres. Is this a bit large for a tinderbox?

[tulecanyon]

i have been lurking since this was posted.
the size and color of the object lead me to be it is military, not issue, but purchased.
a piece from an officers toilet kit? mess kit?

od green is not a favorite of farmers.