“I Found These at My Grandma’s House and Have No Idea What They Are” — Here’s How to Solve the Mystery

✅ Maker’s marks, logos, or patent numbers
Can lead directly to manufacturer and date
✅ Material (wood, brass, ceramic, Bakelite)
Helps narrow down era and purpose
✅ Wear patterns
Clues about how it was used (e.g., handle smooth from gripping)
✅ Engravings or initials
May link to family members or gifts

📸 Pro Tip: Take clear photos from multiple angles — including close-ups of details.

💡 Never clean aggressively — you might erase historical evidence.

🔎 Step 2: Search Online Using Smart Keywords
Use your observations to build a search query.

Instead of typing “weird old thing,” try:

“Vintage brass hand tool with serrated edge”
“1940s glass perfume bottle with pink powder”
“wooden box with clasp marked ‘Simplicity’”
Best Tools for Identification:
✅
Google Lens
Snap a photo → get visual search results instantly
✅
r/whatisthisthing (Reddit)

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