Help identifying this sewing related vintage item?

[fasster]

 I have  several of these metal clip-type metal items that have small rods with them.  The black metal items are about 2" long.  They are printed with "5c each" and a number "17R" for example.  I think they are somehow sewing/thread related and they came from my husband's grandfather's country store.  I have an old spool cabinet that they were in.  What were they used for?  Thanks for any help

[jump.for.joy]

I don't recognize these as having anything to do with sewing, or sewing machines. Could be wrong on that.

Except for the price, the numbers are different on each of them. Is there anything else that is different about them?

[fasster]

No, except for the numbers on them, they are identical.  Have no idea what they could be.

[janetpjohn_la · Accepted solution]

The rods are bobbins for thread, probably for the old Singer treadle machines. The other things look like they might have held different size needles. I'm guessing the needles were for hand sewing. That really is just a guess based on the per each price and the many sizes marked on them.
Janet

[fasster]

Thanks so much!