MYSTERY OBJECTS

[Big Kev]

I reckon it's a picture hook too. I'll jump in with this one as well, I'm sure you'll all know what it is...

[Stanley]

It was of course a picture hook. As for the new object, I know them well.... takes me back to freezing nights out in the Grunewald with me 17pdr!

[David Whipp]

I'm sure you'll all know what it is...

Not me Kev (and that's a little photo for a Big Kev).

I guess to do with photography; slicing negatives?

[Pluggy]

I know what it is as well but I'm keeping it to myself. Hint - it isn't anything to do with photography. Stanley has already given a clue. Being in the armed forces in an earlier life helps

[Wendyf]

I've got one, though I wasn't in the armed forces.

[Stanley]

It looks to me as though many know what it is but are being polite and leaving others to get it. Does this help? (click to enlarge!)
In case you're wondering about the date on it. I lost mine but got another because they were so useful.

[PanBiker]

Never been in the forces either but I know what it is, very useful for David I reckon.

[Pluggy]

Another of them with another very closely related object :

[plaques]

It’s an instrument used for rebalancing the input / output stocking levels of high intensity calorific value goods. If not used with care they can have a totally negative effect on the local economy by increasing the burden on the NHS in both the emergency / accident departments and cardiology wards. However, given the state of the national debt it is thought that by allowing the plebeians access to some cheap but less than optimal food stock it will deflect attention away from the top 10% who have their snouts in the trough.

[Stanley]

NURSE! They're all out of bed again! It's a tin opener supplied with army 'C' Rations......

[David Whipp]

Ah... clearly showing my age (youth!) with the can openers.

New object: finger operated air vent?

[Big Kev]

Indeed, a tin opener. I was given one a few years ago and it had me stumped for a while.

[Big Kev]

NURSE! They're all out of bed again! It's a tin opener supplied with army 'C' Rations......

Snooker cue tip?

[plaques]

Pressure cooker safety valve. The low temperature lead melts if the pressure and therefore temperature raises above a predetermined amount.

[Stanley]

Sorry, nowhere near it yet!

[plaques]

One last guess. A street light gas jet.

[Stanley]

Near enough, its a fantail gas jet. Not an old one, I suspect this was made for Calor Gas lighting in caravans.

[David Whipp]

floppy drive?

[Stanley]

Close but no cigar!

[Stanley]

This seems to have flown like a lead balloon. Any offers?

[Cathy]

An old style cassette of some sort??

[plaques]

Lap top hard drive.?

[Pluggy]

Its a tape cartridge for an old school backup tape drive. All the rage in the late 80s/Early90s. I haven't seen one in years. The format had a particular name, which I can't remember. I think they were available in capacities up to 240MB which is pitiful by modern standards.

[Pluggy]

Having done a bit of searching, its a "QIC" aka quarter inch tape cartridge.

This is what the front looks like :

[Stanley]

I'd have given it to Cathy but Pluggy has it exactly right. 40mb capacity and state of the art in those days. I bought an Irwin tape back-up but never got it to work.....