While cleaning out the attic of my grandparents’ old house, I came across a small metal object that immediately caught my eye. It was smooth and sleek, shaped somewhat like a tiny rocket or bullet, and surprisingly heavy for its size. Its pointed tip and hollow interior hinted that it wasn’t just a decorative piece but something with a purpose.
Curious about what it might be, I examined it closely, wondering if it was an old kitchen tool, a piece of woodworking equipment, or a component from a forgotten machine. Unsure, I photographed it and shared the picture online, hoping for answers.
The responses varied widely—some thought it was related to fishing gear, others believed it to be a machine part, but then a sewing enthusiast identified it immediately as a shuttle from a pedal-powered sewing machine, also called a boat shuttle or bullet shuttle.
At first, I was skeptical, but on closer inspection, everything clicked into place. These shuttles were used in sewing machines from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, before the round bobbin became standard. The pointed shape, designed to hold a bobbin inside, allowed the shuttle to slide back and forth rapidly, intertwining the lower and upper threads to make strong, precise stitches.