I'm not sure what it IS, but I know I wouldn't want it near any part of my body that had hair on it. Sumbitch I bet that thing would hurt.
I don't think the bottom part turns. Also it seems to be poorly designed and I bet if is still used the modern ones are much different. The twisted iron doesn't seem like a practical material for a shaft part, unless extreme heat is involved. I think it is a basher or smoother or some sort.
Looks like some kind of puller or grabber for pulling things out of water. Like pulling lobster traps or something onto a boat.
Martin, I think the bottom does rotate--there's a bit of bent metal on each side. So, I'm gonna go with a kitchen tool of some sort, maybe to score designs in a cake, or to put an imprint into fresh pasta or dough?????
No, but it does resemble a pecan picker. Those have an looser wire coil. One could bash and smooth, but neither is similar to its intended function. Nope. Nope.
By the looks of it ... the wired handle, the loop, etc.. it looks like something to pull something out of heat. What ever it is pulling, it has a hook on it that the loop grabs onto ... the wire handle keeps the heat from tranfering up the stem and burning your hand. But .. I have no earthly idea what it is.
