poorly cast aluminum

odd hook on one jaw

fisherman's tool?

Skip

apr179 by Skip Albright, on Flickr

I believe those are camping pliers.  The hook is to lift the top of the cook pot. Look up Boy Scout Pliers.

Huh. Good thing Lyndon knew, because I had no idea. Makes perfect sense though.

(Grrr. 50 years later, and I still resent the fact that mom wouldn't run me back into town for Boy Scout meetings.)

I have a few different types, and those are my favorite design.  You get really good leverage, and can pick up and pour a large pot of boiling water.