mystery metal object with rubber bands

July 11, 2011 11:36 PM

What's the object in this picture? It's an angled piece of metal with hooks at both ends, and two rubber bands connecting the hooks with a metal washer. It was found at a vacation rental property after vacationers checked out.
posted by germdisco to Grab Bag (7 answers total)

(as clickable links)

http://www.instructables.com/id/fart-machine/step5/Attach-rubber-bands-and-washer/

http://www.fakecrap.com/rattlesnake-eggs-p/1121.htm
posted by germdisco at 11:42 PM on July 11, 2011

And this too:
http://www.stormthecastle.com/two-easy-pranks.htm

So, it looks like something to hide in an envelope and use for pranks.
posted by germdisco at 11:44 PM on July 11, 2011

yep, rattlesnake eggs...usually supplied with novelty envelope.
posted by sexyrobot at 11:45 PM on July 11, 2011

Looks like you're answering your own question here - it's a noisemaker for practical jokes. Check out slide 6 from your first link.

For the second one it looks like you wind it up and put it in the box. When the victim then opens the box, the bands unwind and make the box rattle - combined with the rattlesnake image I guess it would be momentarily scary.
posted by Dr Dracator at 11:46 PM on July 11, 2011

my brother made something like that when we were kids - you were supposed to put it in a letter and when the envelope was opened, surprize! a silly noise!
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 12:39 AM on July 12, 2011

That's totally an amped up version of Gizmo's bow and arrow.
posted by XhaustedProphet at 1:39 AM on July 12, 2011

We used to call them fart machines.

Wind up, place (washer side outwards) under one buttock while on plastic school chair, lean to one side as if to let off an enormous fart, and you create an impressive fart noise as the unwinding washer hits the plastic chair. Rewind. Repeat. Eventually get sent to the headmaster.

Happy days!
posted by dowcrag at 5:24 AM on July 12, 2011