The metal teeth are very firmly mounted so its more of a rake than a brush.  It doesn't look like any of the wool combs or rug making tools I've ever see.  I'm thinking some kind of agricultural use, but what?

Any idea what the debris I see on it is? Might be a clue.

I think I have seen one before, for vulcanizing patches for tubes and tires, older ones. You scuff up the surface so the hot patch sticks better.

Looks a bit coarse to be a comb for a buffing wheel...

Quote from: oldgoaly on April 23, 2018, 03:45:19 PM
I think I have seen one before, for vulcanizing patches for tubes and tires, older ones. You scuff up the surface so the hot patch sticks better.

Could be; something like this:

Regards
Henri

I believe Henri may be in the right area. I would think, however, that it may be for scuffing up the inside of the tire before the installation of a "boot". This was just a big old rubber patch that was made of heavier rubber than what was used to patch inner tubes. It would cover up the hole in the tire.
That would explain the curves and the coarseness of the brush.

Mike

Mike, I agree. The curved brush must be for scuffing up the inside of a tire,
and my flat wire Dunlop brushes are for repairing inner tubes.

Regards,
Henri

Thanks to everyone who responded.  At first I was a bit skeptical it was a buffer but now I agree with that assessment.  There are some small roundish blobs of rubbery debris on it which is probably old tire vulcanizing glue, and I tried it out on a tire and it does a fine job of scuffing it up- better than a modern carbide scuffer I have!  You can barely tell in the photo but the ends of the wires are flattened and sharpened to a knife like edge running parallel to the handle.  So it really scratches and cuts the tire's surface when dragged across it.  Thank you again folks, count another mystery solved.