Update: I talked to my super, and he said it's part of an old window that wasn't removed when the windows were replaced!

I'm in the process of fixing the "landlord special" (aka removing years of paint) that many of the vintage hardware in my pre 1920 apartment received, and I have a mystery something in my kitchen.

I have absolutely no idea what it is, what its purpose is, and I haven't been able to find anything about it online.

Anyone have any idea what this could be?

EDIT: I ran a magnet over the entire thing and found that the only magnetic parts of the fixture are two nails, I believe the rest of it is made of wood.

https://preview.redd.it/xvqz9gb0idv91.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=149ead3cc49153a1c6d75ab779fe332e20468b1c

Comments

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superrjk1 t1_itcad5j wrote on October 22, 2022 at 3:27 PM

#178,899

Something to tie blind cord around. I think

Chewwy987 t1_itcbcgb wrote on October 22, 2022 at 3:34 PM

#178,980

Replying to superrjk1 (#178,899)

Makes sense sing its next to the window

superrjk1 t1_itcc1mb wrote on October 22, 2022 at 3:39 PM

#179,037

Not sure what it would be made of though. Probably in perfect condition after you get 100yrs of paint off. Lol

Maleficent-Sink-1296 OP t1_itcc39u wrote on October 22, 2022 at 3:39 PM

#179,041

Replying to superrjk1 (#178,899)

very well could be, I just scraped off some paint and learned that it's nailed in and not screwed in, so I imagine it's made of wood

Maleficent-Sink-1296 OP t1_itcca3d wrote on October 22, 2022 at 3:41 PM

#179,055

Replying to superrjk1 (#179,037)

i believe it's made of wood, my next challenge is going to be getting the nails out without damaging the wood(?) around it

superrjk1 t1_itcew6d wrote on October 22, 2022 at 3:59 PM

#179,239

The nails were used because moldings around window which it is mounted on are made of wood

SandyJ8 t1_itcgkxy wrote on October 22, 2022 at 4:11 PM

#179,346

Yeah watch out very likely has lead paint under those layers

Maleficent-Sink-1296 OP t1_itcgsix wrote on October 22, 2022 at 4:13 PM

#179,365

Replying to SandyJ8 (#179,346)

there are! i've been very careful about wearing a mask, gloves, making sure the space is well ventilated, and not creating any dust

Helpy___Helperton t1_itcmvyp wrote on October 22, 2022 at 4:55 PM

#179,820

Replying to Maleficent-Sink-1296 (#179,365)

fyi lead dust is most readily absorbed through the sclera of the eye. it's best to get some cheap swim goggles.

I am an industrial artist and it's a thing we tread carefully around.

SandyJ8 t1_itcrawj wrote on October 22, 2022 at 5:25 PM

#180,109

Replying to Maleficent-Sink-1296 (#179,365)

By the way appears to be a type of window latch

https://images.app.goo.gl/ZtTVHmVhkdme1v9Q6

cFlasch t1_itcv44l wrote on October 22, 2022 at 5:51 PM

#180,327

Looks like a capped off old gas lamp. We had a bunch of them in our house.

Maleficent-Sink-1296 OP t1_itd8563 wrote on October 22, 2022 at 7:21 PM

#181,129

Replying to Helpy___Helperton (#179,820)

swim goggles are a great tip, thanks!

Mattna-da t1_itehau0 wrote on October 23, 2022 at 12:56 AM

#183,993

Replying to cFlasch (#180,327)

Yeah if it’s brass and hollow

Mdayofearth t1_itgwx9v wrote on October 23, 2022 at 3:52 PM

#190,093

Can we get a wider shot of the thing for more contextual references? We don't know how high up it is to the sill, etc.

stonecats t1_itp0io8 wrote on October 25, 2022 at 7:03 AM

#215,082

> removing years of paint

how?

i have not found a single old paint removal technique - that actually works.