My Dad had a 1' x 1' x 4" tall wooden 2 drawer cabinet that he kept on a shelf above his work bench as far back (1952 or so) as I can remember. It contained some specialized tools (a 1" micrometer, a few calipers, a set of dividers, a tire pressure gauge) a length of #35 chain for the go cart we built together in 1957, 5 football inflation needles, a plumb bob, a couple of pocket knifes, etc. Just stuff that needed a good place to be.
I inherited the cabinet when Dad passed in 1994 and keep it in the den of our house as a reminder of him.
Today I went to it to get the bicycle spoke wrench to tweak a neighborhood kids rear wheel. When I put it back I happened across the thing in the picture below.
The glass tube is about 1/2" in diameter and 2 inches long. It is about 1/4 full of what appears to be black metal particles that do react to a magnet. The tube is stored in a 2 piece wooden container that is about 1" OD and 2 3/4" long.
I never asked him what it was for. Do any of you have an idea?
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
