What is this? Railroad?

[dwgwater]

Ive had this for yesrs. It belonged to my grandfather who was the yardmaster for the Wabash RR in Chicago. What is it?

 

[CharBaby]

Looks like a tool to put coal chunks onto a hot fire.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Rivit tongs?

 

[walterjay]

Looks like something used in a foundry.

 

[Creekside]

I vote some kind of blacksmith's tool but I have no idea past that.

 

[clinebarger]

Blacksmith Tongs?

 

[Lubener]

Something that was used long ago to clean up after your dog.

 

[jhellwig]

I would say rivet tongs or something to do with blacksmithing.

 

[NYEngineer]

Looks like rivet tongs to me.

 

[JohnnyG]

Definitely was designed to hold something that you'd want to stay far away from. Like something hot, or something like a railroad spike that was going to be driven in.
Google "circle to search" says blacksmith tongs.

 

[Zee09]

I think it's some sort of tool used in proctology

 

[RyanY]

It's likely a blacksmith tongs, but it may have doubled as a medieval torture device. Maybe it was used for tongue pulling??? It sounds bad, but is probably less painful than the chevalet...

 

[dwgwater]

I'd assumed it was for holding a rail spike while driving it in, but a blacksmith's tool seems to come up more often. And the rail spike tongs that I've found online look different.

 

[dguzzi]

I could be cool wall hanger art now.

 

[another Todd]

I think it's some sort of tool used in proctology

Dude, you need a new doctor!!!

 

[wavinwayne]

Possibly used in welding back in the day?