Random part of the day: Cardan Ball W/ Cross Hole, No. 3

I want both sets containing this piece. Carden get my hands on them.

Now entering the field for Cross Hole College, No. 3, Cardan Ball!
(The crowd goes wild)

Can it fit an axle in it? It doesn't look like the normal "cross hole" to me.

Looks like an "i"
I'm sure someone's done some creative brick built lettering with this

https://brickset.com/parts?query=Cardan

Wow. This might be the messiest family of parts yet. There’s a No.2 and a No.3, but no No.1. There’s three different “Lt” versions that all look superficially the same (two look identical but for a dimple on one, and the third might be a bit longer?) and all share the same name. There’s two cup versions, which are No.2 and 2M, so no possible source of confusion there, either.

@Norikins:
It looks like 32123, but without the vestigial spurs.

@Astrobricks:
It’s kind of like a universal joint, but U-joints have variable output unless you pair them up in a way that the variances cancel each other out. This looks more like a constant velocity joint of some sort, where the output on a graph would form a straight line compared to more of a sine wave for a standard U-joint.

Some very confused pirates are looking at these realising they can't fire them at all!

It is half of a universal joint. The axle you can stick inside can freely extend so you can vary its length. It is comparable with part https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=32494&idColor=86
but then longer.

@Mandalorian6285 said:
"oo oo I know! It's a lightsaber!!"

I was just about to say, at minifigure hand scale - it'd make a good hilt.

@Brickalili:
Actually…they probably could. It looks narrow enough to fit the bore, the hollow center will accommodate the restrictor pin. Then the only question is if the firing mechanism will make proper contact with the base.