Need some help with this item -- no clue what it is

Hi folks,

I stumbled on this little gem while browsing through a box of old tools -- any thoughts as to what it could be? It's got a solid steel handle (not sure if it was wrapped with leather before) two steel wires extending from the handle, twisting together and then tapering off at the top. Have fun!

 

Looks like the business end of a soldering iron - missing the handle.

 

Hmmm? old school soldering iron?

 

Does look like a soldering iron. The confusing bit is the ferrule slipped down to the wrong end. It would have been on the wooden handle, facing the larger business end.

 

this is the iron with handle

 

Hi! I sold tools for 25 years. Yes, it's an old fashioned soldering iron. This type was used often by railroad men.