Posted by Mick B1 on 03/08/2023 20:02:38:
My guess would be that it's a leaf or vee spring compressor, for use while slipping a tumbler, sear or suchlike into position during assembly of gun-locks.
+1
Older guns contain powerful v-shaped leaf springs, not coils, and the spring pressure has to be released before the lock can be worked on. One way was to squeeze the V together with a clamp, either to remove and replace the spring entirely, or to work on the unpressured mechanism with the spring clamped down in place. Spring clamps are available for repairing spring powered clocks – same purpose, different shape. Car engines too, but constructed to clamp coil springs.
Dave