it's part of a watering system for small animals such as chickens. the bottom half screwed down into a dispensing dish and the top was filled with water. the top lid kept dirt out of the water supply.
19th Century bowling pin. Victorian-era bowling alleys did not have automatic pin setters. The pins were picked up and repositioned by under-fed orphaned waifs . The handles atop the pins helped the tiny orphans reset the pins quickly so they could scurry out the path of on-coming bowling balls.
it's a disappointment/amusement box. They were designed to disappoint slow-witted children who eagerly insert coins and push the button. When nothing happens and the children cry, the cruel adults are amused. All in all, nice way to piss away an otherwise boring afternoon in Victorian times