The Oddest Closet Discovery — Uncovering the Classic “Rattlesnake” Envelope Prank

Tucked away in the back of a drawer or buried under old scarves, you find it: a strange little contraption made of bent wire, a rubber band, and a metal washer. At first glance, it looks like junk—maybe a broken clip or a forgotten craft project.

But then it clicks: It’s a rattlesnake envelope prank—a vintage gag that’s been startling unsuspecting mail recipients for over a century.