What is this tool

[brad reed]

My neighbor pulled an old looking tool out of a box the other day ans said no one has ever been able to identify it. It has a wood handle like a screw driver but a metal box on the end.  The box has hole on 2 sides and the top(where there is also a spring door) and the bottom.  the 2 other sides seem to have been rubbed on but there is no holes.  The inside seem to have small ridges on two side and looks as if it has been in a fire or hot.  Very strange tool,  almost looks like an old mouse trap with a handle.  Our guesses are a burner of some sort or a chestnut cooker.  but no one knows.  please help

[Papaw]

You may be on the right track with your guesses, but we need to see pictures to be sure.