What's going on? #1

One of the things I like about old photos is that half the time, you can't figure out what in the world's going on.

Here's one that shows three men and a car. One is messing with a (watermelon???) thing, while the other two look on with approval.

So what's really going on here?

I don't think it's a watermelon, and there appears to be a bullet shell next to the man in the foreground's foot. Kooky.

 

Not evenly shaped so probably a watermelon and he's going to set off an explosive in it.
This is why it's the only photo......................

 

LOL, I thought so at first but I figured those guys were a little old to be doing stuff like that. Well, you're only as old as you tell yourself, I guess...

 

!!!!
Given the opportunity......I'M ON IT!

 

Kooky is a good description. I can almost imagine the guy leaning over as afraid to touch the "thing." Or hesitant to put something near it. Is the hatted guy smiling.
How about enlarging some pertinent parts.
Can't imagine that watermelon thingy belonging on that car. Something lying in the road that made them stop?

 

Close up of "bullet", smile, and "melon". At least I think he's smiling, or at least he's not frowning.

 

Cigar stub, not a bullet.

 

And I think the guy bending over has a (perhaps lit) cigar stub in his hand.
I am kind of leaning towards KOT's idea of a watermelon with a firecracker or the like in it.
heehee

 

Those crazy kids !

 

What can I say? In those days you had to make your own fun. That is, if keeping your Model T running wasn't enough work.

 

It's da bomb!