What is this lifting ?? tongs for ??

[MossRoad]

I think that is a good bet. All the other types of uses (like lifting logs or ice, etc.) are designed so that the lifting force translates into a pinching action by the tongs by having a pivot in the middle.

Like he said!^

 

[ArlyA]

What’s odd about those tongs is they do not have a pivot point between the ring and the points. Most tongs have a pivot, so that the harder you pull the tighter the tong points get, due to a lever action on the pivot point.

The pivot point is the lifting ring and "tongs" will be pulled together as it lifts. Slightly crude but should work for something, I'd guess barrels.

 

[newbury]

That looks like a good possibility but it would have to be a small drum. The hooks wouldn't span a 55 gal drum which is about 35" tall. The hooks are only 14" long.

gg

So what common item around the time the hooks would have been used is nominally smaller than 28" plus some for the ring?
Most nail kegs I looked up were about 18" tall.

 

[Rod in Forfar]

That's the thing. If you spread it wide enough for a log, never mind a barrel, the hook angle seems/is all wrong for it to bite in. And to hang a critter, like Cal suggested, I'd want the hooks going the other way and add a spreader. Most of those guys that could make tools back in the day were no dummies. They knew how to make things that worked to do job at hand. I was just wondering what that job might be.

gg

Lifting rails?

 

[Jstpssng]

The pivot point is the lifting ring and "tongs" will be pulled together as it lifts. Slightly crude but should work for something, I'd guess barrels.

Considering that he found it next to a power line, my guess is that they used it for lifting poles or cross arms.

 

[IndyJay]

Regardless of its original designed purpose, it is one of those things that likely wind up being used for other purposes. Rod mentioned lifting rails... my first thought was "are there railroad tracks nearby?" then it occurred to me that it may have nothing to do with what it was being used for wherever it was found.

If you think about it, you probably have several things in your garage or barn that is frequently used for something other than what it is supposed to be. One of my favorites is my nippers or end cutters... are great for pulling out nails.

 

[ArlyA]

Lifting rails?

RR rails?? Gee whiz, I'd guess they are not strong enough for that. Here's what they look like and weights 36lbs.

 

[hanie cole]

That's the thing. If you spread it wide enough for a log, never mind a barrel, the hook angle seems/is all wrong for it to bite in. And to hang a critter, like Cal suggested, I'd want the hooks going the other way and add a spreader. Most of those guys that could make tools back in the day were no dummies. They knew how to make things that worked to do job at hand. I was just wondering what that job might be.

gg

Well, the hooks would go the other way if you pulled them around the ring.

 

[Xfaxman]

Speaking of heavy lifting, one side is bent:

 

[ArlyA]

I'd guess that same as some other guys did. Made in a forge for smaller barrels. That doesn't mean someone couldn't bend them.