I was over in a friend's storage yard and he had a number of these.  They are about 6 feel long and have a metal band around the bottom. The label says OshKosh Tools MFR'D by Leach Company Oshkosh Wisconsin.

Some of the old phone company folks probably know this tool.

I thought I knew, but then I cheated & looked it up.  Good to see a company with that kind of history still in the U.S.A.

grew up with relatives that worked for the phone co.,never remember seeing one...guessing its for tamping around newly set poles

Yes.  Telephone pole tamper.