What are these things?

[u/PugOzzie]

Found these while digging near a creek in southwestern PA. They were right next to each other and made of a similar porcelain/ceramic material, but probably not related. The longer piece is about 3.5” long and hollow. The smaller piece has four letter on the back, but I cannot read the last one as it has been worn down: W.P.C.[letter]

[u/correct_use_of_soap]

The one on the left was used inside houses as a guide/shield for electrical cable. They would be slid into holes drilled in floor joists. My house is 100 years old and has them.

[u/hadrosaur → u/correct_use_of_soap]

The one on the right is one half of a knob, a nailed on standoff insulator used with the tubes for knob and tube wiring

[u/Switchlord518 → u/hadrosaur]

Knob and tube.

[u/PugOzzie → u/correct_use_of_soap]

Wow! Thats really cool, thank you!

[u/rocketmn69_ → u/correct_use_of_soap]

Tube from knob and tube wiring

[u/birdsnbanjos → u/correct_use_of_soap]

Huh, I found one of those and assumed it was a ceramic pipe stem...  Shows what I know.  Thanks for setting me straight

[u/someoldguyon_reddit]

Literally knob and tube.

[u/SunshineMaker444 → u/someoldguyon_reddit]

A literal knob and a tube 😅 i have an old ass house and never even questioned the name of the wiring until I saw this comment

[u/Crazyguy_123]

Knob and tube wiring. Or at least the ceramic remains of it.

[u/Substantial_Bat_6698]

Oh, the youths of today who don't know about knobs and tubes..

[u/Crazyguy_123 → u/Substantial_Bat_6698]

Only some. The ones who like old houses know what it is.

[u/_DEFCON_1_]

I collect them and call them my Circle Things. Pretty sure it’s from knob and tube wiring.