Need Help ID'g this Bayonet Tool

[Foxbrook]

Just recently pick up this 1874 French Gras Bayonet converted to tongs of some sort and was wondering if anyone has seen one of these before and what it might have been used for

Information

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[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Fire pit tongs.

[Aragorn243]

Pretty common to make these things into fireplace accessories. First set of tongs I have seen.

[Peter Laidler]

Making toast around the camp fire

[WarPig1976]

Cheech and Chong size roach clip?...

[Foxbrook]

I thought the same but they don't work like tongs. When your thumb presses on the thumb piece it opens the tongs from the closed position.. ???????

[Aragorn243]

Just because someone made them doesn't mean they actually work. I expect for moving small coals about the weight alone is heavy enough for them to hold the item in place.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Lets all be glad they did what ever it is they did to what they did it to and not somthing rare.
(Poor sentence structure intended)

[marysdad]

There were full sets of fireplace tools commercially manufactured in some quantity. I have seen several complete sets, with tongs, poker, broom, shovel, and stand. I have seen many individual pieces, such as your tongs.

[old-smithy]

there is a full set of these with tongues, poker, shovel and holder, they were made by Bannerman in the 20's to use up old French blades, there are loads of other things, umbreall stands with chassepots and gras, candelabra, coat racks, etc. some can be seen on my site under misc.