I've had this guy for several years and have asked lots of people what it may be but so far I haven't got a good answer. It's 14 3/4" long,and 5/16" dia in the middle. The 5/16 dia runs for about 3 1/2" in the center and then tapers into an uneven sided hexagon shape out towards each end. The ovals at each end are different sizes, the big one is 1 1/4" x 1/2" and the small one is 7/8" x 7/16",both have slots in the ovals which are 3/32" wide.The hexagons do not have equal width faces but do appear to be very uniform when comparing one end to the other. It seems to be too precise to be hand forged and it seems to be made out of good quality steel as there is very little flex when I try to bend it. No markings on it at all.