Wondered if it was used in cellars ?

 I am not a musician but that looks like a Jews harp to me.

That's what i thought but no one is getting that in their mouth.

It is a Jews or Juice harp.

Certainly is- https://www.google.com/search?q=juice+harp&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=ox6&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=W_W_ULLdNpKuqAGmnYHgCA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAA&biw=1476&bih=683

Lots of images there.

I can't remember seeing someone play one of those since Hee-Haw was on television.   Have one around here somewhere, but it needs tuning!

Quote from: john k on December 05, 2012, 08:36:39 PM
I can't remember seeing someone play one of those since Hee-Haw was on television.   Have one around here somewhere, but it needs tuning!

You have to B# to tune one of those, otherwise you'll  Bb (flat) on your back laughing.

They used these on the Muffet show.

In fairness, it is a rusted, lightly pitted, used Jew's Harp (Genuine eBay-speak).

I agree. spent a whole summer practicing with one. lost it somewhere, but was getting better at changing tone/pitch. I felt like a possum eating sandburrs tho

and if you are not careful, you can take the corner of a tooth off with it!

Never did like holding one against my teeth - try holding aganinst lips instead...

For more on the history, see: http://www.jewsharpguild.org/