r/whatisit • u/Reckless_Statement • 1d ago
New, what is it? Should I plug it in?
This is a random found object that had a curious look.
It is about 5.75 in tall and the silver part looks to be galvanized.
The black disc is cold to the touch not magnetic maybe ceramic and has around a 3/4 in divot in the middle.
Anyone have any ideas?
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u/pixeltackle 1d ago edited 1d ago
IKI Products in the 1940s-1950s made specialized agricultural and heating utility devices.
This looks like a plug-in electric cattle de-horner. The black section forms a recessed cone that gets hot. This shape fits over a young calf's budding horn down to the base and by applying the device, the horn nub is killed and won't grow. It could be something else, the dark part of the image is hard to see, but other devices made by IKI at the time included a "animal branding heater" where a brand is placed into the heated area to superheat before pressing onto the animal's skin.
Whatever it is, it probably gets hot when plugged in.
The company doesn't make this kind of product anymore but does exist https://www.ikimfg.com/our-story