mmccxi: “Tell me you were born after 1990 without telling me you were born after 1990. These little cap darts were cool. We pretended they were grenades.”
jaymon1974: “As the others said you put a paper cap in it and toss it in the air. It lands on the tip and goes pop.”
wtafwtmun: “You can use the snap strips on the inside and a cap on the end. Throw them up. Me and my bro used to play army/air raid with them. Flea markets had them cheap.”
CooCooKaChooie: “Cap bomb. Small round cap would explode on contact.”
Arseypoowank: “Cap bomb, haven’t seen one in a very long time.”
BigFrostyFeet: “I had these as a kid. You put paper strip noise caps in them and toss.”
Jorgesgorge1977: “It’s an old kids toy. Like a cap gun. You throw it and the impact sets the cap off and makes a bang.”
CaryWhit: “Definitely a cap toy. Wonder what one would do with a little dollop of tannerite? Modern solutions!”
BakerNew6764: “That’s a toy, you put a paper cap (small amount of gunpowder) in the top and throw it, when it lands it causes a bang.”
Justwhytry: “OMG!!!!! It is for paper caps! You would take a roll of paper caps and cut one off then put it under the tip of the dart (there was a spring) then when you threw it it would land with the heavy tip down and make a ‘POP!’ I had one of these as a kid.”
Saintviscious: “Put a cap in it and throw it in the air, it’ll land and go bang, I remember them, but they were old when I was a kid in the 80’s.”
The Ongoing Mystery
Despite numerous theories, the true identity and purpose of the small metal dart remain elusive. Its threaded nose, while intriguing, does not provide enough evidence to conclusively determine its use. The absence of markings further complicates the mystery, leaving room for continued speculation and investigation.
Final Thoughts
The discovery of the small metal dart in a Northeast USA yard serves as a fascinating reminder of the many unknowns that can lie just beneath the surface of our everyday environments. Whether it turns out to be a piece of forgotten military history, an industrial relic, or something entirely different, the dart has captured the imagination of all who have encountered it.
For now, the dart will be preserved as a curious artifact, a conversation starter, and a symbol of the ongoing quest to uncover the hidden stories of our surroundings. As more information surfaces and more experts weigh in, there is hope that this small but captivating mystery will eventually be solved.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments!