Who Can Identify This Prop?

[jlong]

 

[28injection]

Is it a finger from the Demon With The Glass Hand?

J

 

[AKU-AKU]

That was my second thought, although I knew it wasn't:

(photo credit: NickDaring)

My first thought was this:

but I'm pretty sure it's not that either... Interesting challenge - there goes my sleep - off to GoogleLand!

 

[Contec]

This could not be the tip on the ghostbuster proton pack wands?

 

[jackdoud]

More information would be nice. Is this just some random picture you found and want to know if it was used for something somewhere or is it something you bought thinking it was a prop?

 

[Funky]

If this is in your posession, could you set a pencil, a pop can, or a dollar bill next to it for scale?

 

[Raffles]

Well judging by the 2 core wire coming out it was before LED's and tiny batteries. The perished rubber band says early 70's late 60's to me and the spinny bit on the end looks like a medical scanner bit from Trek.

 

[AKU-AKU]

If this is in your posession, could you set a pencil, a pop can, or a dollar bill next to it for scale?

Based on the 2-prong AC cable, I'd say the size of a hand-held microphone:

 

[jackdoud]

Perhaps an early form of CFL?

 

[gunnerk19]

It may be a stretch, but it kind of reminds me of the landing/take off wands the X wing ground crew used...

 

[slave1pilot]

electric tampon?

 

[RGPFX]

The two core wire looks like standard AC electrical cord. If that's the case, it's considerably larger than a finger or a dollar bill. Perhaps 12-18" in length. Probably a 110V light biulb inside. The white extensions in the tip section look like they're jacketed gangs of fiber-optics cast into an acrylic clear medium. Afterwards a screw hole was drilled and tapped into the back to hold it onto the lower section (lightbulb holder for the optics)? The bulky brass pushbutton seems to support the size notion. Very pre-micro-electronic age styling.

As to function... fish tank heater? Cat-annoyer?

 

[Treadwell]

^ agreed, although I don't think that's fiber optic. Too thick. They might be neon tubes.
I'm betting this thing goes back to at least 1960.

 

[TOSPHASER]

A TOS Medical scanner! :lol hey the center looks like it could be one with some parts added to it! :love

 

[AKU-AKU]

I agree with the light bulb theory - the brass switch supports that. Since the bent "rods" end literally at the edge of the acrylic tip and you can see the cut off ends, they can't be neon, fluorescent, or incandescent tubes or filaments. And since it's a solid acrylic body, it can't be an old LED since it would need a gas-filled volume to energize. They're most likely bent nylon or acrylic shafts picking up light from a small shielded incandescent light bulb hidden inside the cylindrical metal sleeve.

I've asked 2 senior electrical engineers I know and both believe this was custom-built and resembles nothing off-the-shelf that they've ever seen.

Perhaps the focus of the thread should be where it appeared, not what it is?

Judging by the thread's author, it's likely TOS related. Can the author give us a hint?

 

[gunnerk19]

Argh!

Methinks I have it! was it used to light the front of the Enterprise's engine nacelles on the studio model?

 

[TOSPHASER]

well? John says it is a prop! ....not a part that is used to make a prop!
Hmmmmm???? JOHHHHNNNNNN!

 

[Funky]

I think I know what it is. The base for the scientific scanner.

 

[Jayn]

Argh!

Methinks I have it! was it used to light the front of the Enterprise's engine nacelles on the studio model?

Beat me to it.. I'd agree with that ..

 

[Funky]

Argh!

Methinks I have it! was it used to light the front of the Enterprise's engine nacelles on the studio model?

You know, the more I think about it and the more I look at it, you may be on to something there.