Saw these several weeks ago at my favorite flea market and the owner didn't know what they were either. They are about 18-20 inches long and the curved jaws only get further apart as you open them. Doesn't seem like they could be used to pick anything up. Are they possibly some kind of blacksmiths tool ? TIA for your help. A puzzled Newbie Charlie.

Very similar to what a farrier uses to clinch horseshoe nails.

Mike

Huh. I got no idea.

Hello, Mike , Charlie, & Plyerman. They are referred to as Straight End Clinch Tongs in Ron Barlow's Tool Collecting Guide. I have no idea how they are used. Mike, you may have it. Regards, Lou

 Thanks to all of you for your effort, we thought they might be farrier tools but nothing came about in all the searching we did.

Charlie

Here is a link to a youtube video showing nail clinching.  I have sold several clinching tongs over the years.  I usually get about 20.00 for them.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqWGz7Ntv5A

Ah, makes perfect sense now