I'm hoping that someone here can help identify this tool...
Markings read, "J. EHRET  6  C STEEL" on one side, and "PHILA" on the other side. I am unable to find ANY information on this manufacturer. Any ideas?

Gas burner pliers?

Might be old pipe tongs.

They have the small notches in the nose, so I am thinking lg has it right. The handle design is very old tho, shaped and pinned like blacksmith tongs....

Did not find the slightest hint of a company with that name that makes sense tho :(

(There is a fellow in the 1870's that patented a gas burner tho, could they be that old?, but he is in calif, not phila...)

With the double notches to the jaws almost certainly gas burner pliers - similar found this side of the pond as well, in a range of sizes, and with thin jaws as well as wide ones...

 Can't help with maker but this pair of old Sargent gas pliers look similar.