What is it??

[blackoak]

They are 5" long and the cutters only open up to 1/4", so whatever they were designed  to cut wasn't thick

[geneg]

The graphite cord would easily fit within that cutter, it is usually +/- 1/8".  The size I'm referring to is the  "diameter" of the serrated opening.  Is it about the same as what you see on the hose bib handle on your house?

[Chillylulu]

Lock-out tags are different for plumbing than the ones they use for electrical.

I think in this case the tags were more likely tamper seals. Like the old seals they put on gas, plumbing, and electrical meters. Sometimes they were lead seals, sometims plastic tabs with wires, etc. They are designed to keep the public from accessing srvice connections. More for security back then rather than safety,  I think.

Some gas valves have weird handles. That first section might fit some valve perfectly. The 2nd section could fit a valve stem, just under a handle, and the hex could fit a oscking nut.  This all points to water, rather than gas, service.  So my modified swag is "water service or meter plier."

Chilly

[gibsontool]

I can see these working for the type of tag Papaw showed us.
   When you shut down a machine or whatever are tags shown considered adequate in terms of lockout ? Don't you still have to have an actual lock on it ?

[Chillylulu]

Requirements are different for different situations. A stationary tool may require panel lockout while working on it. A portable tool that needs repair might only require an out of service tag. Technically, what Papaw shows are tags, not lock-outs. Lock-outs require a shut-off or method of disconnect that is under the control of the person requiring the lock-out.

Chilly

[Rhoderman]

The big opening looks like it would form a pentagon when closed.  Not a hex.  What would that be used on?

[Chillylulu]

Quite a few valves that are tamper resistant use 5 sided nuts - fire hydrants, for example.  I think that opening is more of a elongated pentagon - it seems like the sides are shorter than the bottom?

My guess is that it was a funny shaped handle that the pliers fit.

Chilly

[Billman49]

The finish is similar to cast iron nutcrackers, rather than a forged tool, so I'd tend to look at kitchenalia for an answer...

[johnsironsanctuary]

My WAG would be kitchen tool. Mason jar, ketchup bottle, nut cracker and general purpose snippers.

[blackoak]

The finish is similar to cast iron nutcrackers, rather than a forged tool, so I'd tend to look at kitchenalia for an answer...

I'm pretty sure it's not cast cast. I did a little clean up on it and posted some better close up pictures of it in my original post.

[lbgradwell]

Is it my imagination or is something written here:

[Chillylulu]

It does look like writing....

[Papaw]

Maybe try a pencil tracing?

[Lostmind]

Is it my imagination or is something written here:

I'm guessing that section is to compress a spring retainer to release.

[blackoak]

I checked it out with the most powerful magnifying glass I have under a bright light and could not make out any writing. I even did the pencil trick, but I found nothing