Unusual locking brass tongs(?)

Something a photographer would use as negatives went through the processing steps?

 

Pretty logical idea
I found one old brass postal scale like you say but the clip was much smaller, but still worth pursuing.

 

Could easily be a medical device, seems there’s no end of such things we seldom see.

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/mozferatu/toolbox/

 

Why the need for the shape of a flame then?

 

It is only shaped like a flame through the power of suggestion. You see I was a psychologist in one of my former lives. It could just as easily be shaped like a gourd, a laboratory retort, a testicle, well you get the idea. And since there are two of those shapes I bet you can’t look at the picture again without seeing a pair of at least one of the aforementioned items!

 

Could even be a Flarphenparkleflappen.
You can still get them at EyeKiaPet.

 

Sometimes reafered to as the Weeping Heart..or...Bleeding Heart...

 

Ah wear it on yer sleeve.

 

Nuthin up "my" sleeve !!!!

 

STILL laughing..................VERY GUD!!!!!

 

These were to hold roaches - aka joints that had been smoked down to a small length - so you wouldn't burn your fingers because joints have no filters. Am I the only ex-hippie on here? I have a very nice one that's got a pretty design on it. Packed away, of course. It's been 40 years since it was used.

 

I'm envisioning a hilarious scene of a bunch of stoned people trying to keep the joint from either falling out or being crushed while trying to adjust the slide to get just the right amount of tension. As a roach clip, leaves a lot to be desired.

 

We used ours for years without a hitch.

 

I've no clue....
I've smoked nothing ever...

I had no reason to keep roaches. Killed them right away.

 

And REALLY!
Is that damn thing long enough already???

 

I see antiques aren't the only thing people here seem to know a lot about

 

Ahhh...but there's the rub......we DO know a lot !!!

 

I was going to say roach clip also, But couldn't figure out a way without revealing how I knew. Cats out of the bag now. But It's legal in CA now...

 

WHY is it so long???
To hold Hawaiian roaches????