What is This Tool?

[Magicman]

I am not seeing any handles but after taking a closer look, it does resemble the squeezing action that my Grain Binding/Bundling tool has.  The bundles were then Shocked for curing before threshing.

[doc henderson]

I see a pat pend made in the USA.  also, the number 10.  is there a brand name?  could use to be a filter wrench, and also has a round grove on the far end.  maybe a rubber piece???

[Magicman]

That would be a mighty big filter !! 

[doc henderson]

Prob. for filters in Texas.  @TimW 

[rusticretreater]

If you look at the picture, you will see one end of the clamp is beveled and will fit in the groove of the other end.  IMO that makes it a clamp for a specific sized pipe and the handle mechanism will lock into place, just like the chain holddown truckers use.

[caveman]

A pipe clamp of some sort may be the answer.  I'll try to get better pictures the next time he stops by, which is usually every weekend or so.  Thank you for those who have made suggestions.  It evidently is not a common tool.

[doc henderson]

see if there is writing on the other side.  please!

[mroldstyle]

I would use it as a Busch Light can crusher.

[caveman]

These are the pics I was sent a few minutes ago.  

[doc henderson]

48 and 49 may be part numbers, there is a bone like symbol on each of the two big parts.  I can make out the made in the USA, but not what is in front of that, looks like "hot pens".   nice close up but need one at the name of the tool or brand on the part 48 in front of the made in USA.  or hit it with a wire wheel or do a pencil shading on paper to get the raised letters.      I think the light is better on the right half.  if he can read it, that may help.  then we can do a search on google.  

[TimW]

That is an over center clamp that locks and holds a certain size pipe.  I'm guessing oil field or water well.  You hold it while the drilling rig spins the pipe.
Or Popeye's spinach can opener.

[Hilltop366]

I did a image search and came up with a lot of pictures of horse shoes and other various U shaped pieces of rusty metal but also any image that looked like this but with a longer handle was called a vintage tire bead breaker.

[Hilltop366]

And this.

[doc henderson]

that makes sense.  the notch must go on the wheel rim on the other side.

[rusticretreater]

I can agree with that.  Here is another image of a Ken Tools version.  It has the wider foot which I am used to seeing on tire bead breakers.  I kept searching for well pipe clamps and was coming up with tools with a similar clamping shape but I couldn't find anything that matched the tool closely.

[TimW]

Bingo, I see it clear as mud now.  The last photo, above, looks like it was modified to work better.