The What is it? blog lists the following answer:
So, it doesn’t look like any definitive answer has been reached.
I never did. As posted above, the What is it? blog wasn’t able to supply any definitive answer, nor have any other experts I have inquired with. I am still open to suggestions… 
Bummer. I don’t know why it’s so intriguing to me!
My thought was the same as someone else’s – I thought it was a leather working tool. I hope this mystery gets solved!
It looks like it’s used for shaping something fairly resistant or pushing it down over something. Steamed leather could be a distinct possibility.
It looks like it might be used to pry off ones boots.