This week's collaboration with What is it? blog brings us this strange contraption: do you know what it is for?

Place your guess in the comment section - no prize this week, you're playing for bragging rights and fun only! For more clues, check out What is it? blog. Good luck!

Update 5/23/08 - the answer is:

A barrel maker's hoop lifter, lever hook, or hoop dog, it was used for stretching or levering a hoop over the top of the staves.

No one got it right!