What The Heck Kind Of Weird Desk Set Is This?

[speerbob]

Hi FPN,

 

This really weird desk set came in a collection I bought. No name on it. It's very solid metal and well made. But being round with no flat spot it doesn't sit straight. Maybe it had a base or maybe it was not originally a desk base. Maybe a Klingon hand grenade, Darth Vader's left testicle? Maybe a...well I have no idea. I welcome your thought, legit or weird! Thanks, BOB

 

 

[sandy101]

looks like its designed to sit in one of those old ink wells on a desk or something.

[silverlifter]

It looks like that the base can be opened. However, after a mis-spent youth watching sci-fi/horror movies, I would proffer this advice:

 

DO NOT OPEN THE ORB!

[corgicoupe]

It sure does look like the straps are hinged.

[Freddy]

It sure does look like the straps are hinged.

Agree..and when deployed...Voila....A tripod base.....

 

Fred

[amberleadavis]

I think I saw it in Cabin in the Woods. IT is scary, but I like it.

 

[pajaro]

It might hold nibs and ink cartridges.

[nigelg]

Be careful. It may be a Quidditch ball.

[AAAndrew]

It could have also had a base into which the globe sat, and the ridges kept it from rotating too much?

 

‘It’s a puzzlement. And pretty cool.

[basterma]

The texture seems like it is there to make an an adhesive stick. Maybe there was some plastic that surrounded it and acted as a base? Art Deco rocket of sorts?

[Mercian]

I have two ideas about it:

 

1) it’s an interesting and tactile curio to have on one’s desk, much less un-interesting than a ‘boring’ and ‘normal‘ standard desk set;

 

2) never, never futz with it too much - you don’t want to inadvertently open it and find yourself press-ganged by leather-clad cenobites who are intent upon welcoming you in to the very particular embrace of their Order...

[mana]

Ah, now I know what that is (looked familiar), it is a cluster munition bomblet. The shell is made of die cast aluminium and the round things poking out of the surface are shrapnel (stainless steel ball bearings) that were also die cast into it. Most likely a Vietnam war era memento... need to see if I can dig up more info.

[mana]

Similar bombs can be seen on this page (scroll down to BLU-26 or BLU-36 etc.) > http://www.designation-systems.net/usmilav/asetds/u-b.html

That one seems to have been polished at some point so it has lost a little definition on the sharp corners/edges.

[IThinkIHaveAProblem]

well, that's terrifying.

 

https://www.eveningsun.com/story/news/2020/03/16/wwii-era-live-grenade-found-eisenhower-museum-collection/5059512002/

 

I'm hoping that in THIS case the pen holder is screwed into a drilled in hole?... allowing for confirmation that it is in fact inert?...

[mana]

It is very much likely inert, don't worry. Those are pretty specialized items to begin with, as in, they are packed into the ordnance packages at the factory and the next time you see them you wish you wouldn't (hint: You are at the designated target area = way, way too close to them).

 

Anyway, arms manufacturers and military have a long history of turning inert munition casings like that to promotional items long before any explosive is introduced into the picture. Most likely it was a promotional gift to some bigwig in the military.

 

So, not a Klingon hand grenade but close enough though And it is missing a base, that much is certain.

[speerbob]

Hi, Awesome, I never thought of a bomblet. Apparently it's a blu-26 submunition used on cbu-24 cluster bombs. Vietnam war era. Let's hope it's inert! Cheers, BOB

[PAKMAN]

Yikes!

[amk]

I do see WW1 bullets made into pens fairly regularly here in France. So perhaps I shouldn't be surprised at this mini-Death Star!

[sandy101]

 

 

So, not a Klingon hand grenade but close enough though And it is missing a base, that much is certain.

 

1,2. 4... no 3!

[AAAndrew]

I do see WW1 bullets made into pens fairly regularly here in France. So perhaps I shouldn't be surprised at this mini-Death Star!

 

Yup.