Frog Mouth Whatsit

[johnsironsanctuary]

I bought it on ebay because I could not figure out what it is.  It is about a foot long, weighs a few pounds and you push on the hoop to open the jaw.  It has a very strong spring holding the jaw shut. The nut in the jaw is there to hold it open for the photo. Behind the jaw there is a gutter with angled teeth.
My first guess was a tool for grabbing and pulling a sucker rod in a water well, but the gutter ends at the back of the jaw. It would seem like if you were pulling a sucker rod, you would want to release the clamp and take another bite further down the rod.  The markings are; 4500     1611-30    .50 - .31.  No name.

[Lewill2]

Looks like a cable puller to me.

[jimwrench]

 I agree with Lew and if it isn't a puller you are using the wrong kind of nut because it would have to be a nut cracker.

[bill300d]

also agree with a cable puller

bill

[turnnut]

another vote for cable puller !

[Billman49]

Wire strainer - but I'll accept cable puller - use by telegraph linesman to pull wires taut.. Similar used for fencing wire...

[charles Garrett]

Looks like for lifting or pulling Metal plate with the parralell jaws.

[OilyRascal]

Always heard them called "Lifting Tong" or "Pulling Tong".  Many styles.  Seen them used from pulling wire to lifting heavy granite slabs.  Not sure what the original specific design purpose was (outside clamping on good and allowing a pull).

[turnnut]

the lever to control the closing on this one would restrict the lifting of steel plates straight up.

as the opposite side has the clearance to pull cable/wire without restrictions.

just my opinion tho.

[bill300d]

this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Klein-Tools-1611-30-Cable-Wire-Puller-50-31in-Range-4500LB-Max-/351061432093?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51bce4571d

bill

[gibsontool]

I have a couple of these in different sizes which we used for stringing cables in various industrial applications, it looks to me like the end has been modified to pull or lift something flat. Maybe trying to make a plate clamp. A plate clamp works on the same principal but like turnnut says this one is not built for lifting straight up.

[johnsironsanctuary]

Thanks for the ebay link Bill,  it is not marked Klein. I thought that they marked everything.

gibsontool,  the jaw has been broken and very neatly welded.

[Northwoods]

Yep.  Wire puller.  I bought two of the Klein's on the "What is this?/Make an offer" table the other day for a quarter each.
Now I just need to figure out what to do with them.
Ebay says they are worth at least $20, though.