Online users recently went on a digital treasure hunt after a photo of a strange tool was shared online.

The mystery began when a Reddit user discovered the unusual metal object while cleaning out their grandmother’s house.

Puzzled by its design, the user posted a picture asking if it was an old multitool or an early can opener.

Within hours, the internet jumped in with various theories regarding the object’s origin and function.

Some people believed it was a 19th-century kitchen tool, while others joked it looked more like a weapon.

Several users who recognized the tool shared personal stories, including receiving scars from accidental slips.

One commenter described how the sharp edge once cut their hand, proving how dangerous early kitchen tools could be.

Eventually, the mystery was solved when the object was identified as a vintage lever-style can opener.

This early tool was designed to puncture and pry open cans long before modern safety features existed.

The history of can openers dates back to 1858, when American inventor Ezra Warner created a lever-style opener for military use.