[Milsurplus] puzzler - module with glass rod?

[KD7JYK DM09]

: material (Lithium Niobate was a favourite). These days I don't think they
: are used except for some very specialized filters with unusual group
: delay specs.

Actually, they are hyper-common and used in most low-powered transmitters 
globally, wireless thermometers, water sensors, remote controls to name a 
few of hundreds...  Check ebay, they are about as common as batteries and 
transistors, they are the cheap common junky part that makes the new 
electronics do their thing...  Check, for starters, 315 MHz transmitter or 
receiver.  Look at the relatively large can on the postage stamp sized PCB, 
that's the SAW filter taking place of a handful of components to make up the 
output network.

Kurt