✅ SOLVED wooden farm clamp or pincer device found in New England

[desert]

This pincer/clamp device is from an old farm house in the Boston suburbs. It's about 3 feet tall and the base is 1.5 feet. It's all wood, but for the thin strip of metal where the separating handle rubs against the plank. As seen, it's closed. If you push down on the separating handle (which rubs against the metal sheet), the device opens. There is no notch or any other thing to keep it open. It is stable as it stands.

Any ideas?

Thank you!

 

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[ABruce]

It looks like the kind of clamp used to hold a saw blade for sharpening.

 

[desert]

Based on your clue, I think I figured it out. ebay searches yielded photos of similar tools that were used for leather working of horse harnesses.

"FOR THE LEATHERWORKER TO SIT ON A CHAIR BY A BENCH AND PLACE THE VICE ON THE FLOOR WITH THE CLAMPS BETWEEN HIS/HER KNEES TO HOLD THE LEATHER WHILE THEY DID THEIR WORK. THE SIDE LEVER IS USED TO OPEN THE JAWS FOR INSERTING OR REPOSITIONING THE LEATHER."