Old WW-II aircraft mechanic told me this was the tool that made aircraft wiring repair a whole lot easier. Prior to this tool lugs had to be crimped ina bench crimper.
Not knowing how true that is one thing I am sure of is that it had to be a forefather to the millions of crimped splices in use today.
The handles are around 9" and spring loaded. Ihave yet to figure out what the screw on one side is for as I'm a bit hesitant to apply force.
Evidently the stripped wire is wound around the hub of the lug before inserting the lug into the tool to be crimped.