move when it is gently tilted.
You can then compare the photographs with images of vintage instrument parts, mechanical indicators, laboratory curiosities, and old toys.
If the object has a manufacturer’s mark or model number, searching that exact information may produce more useful results than searching only for a glass tube with three balls.
You can also ask an antique-instrument dealer, science museum curator, mechanical-restoration specialist, or knowledgeable collector for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a small glass tube with three metal balls?
It could be a mechanical component, an educational demonstration object, a novelty, a collectible, or part






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