On Sunday, October 25, 2015 at 11:02:47 AM UTC-5, woodchucker wrote:

Looks handy for pulling on all sorts of stuff, but what was its INTENDED use?

Seems like it's for pulling a flat strap.

And Cl suggested wire puller.

Looks like stainless steel, but the Japanese did lots of small items of chrome, especially during the Occupied Japan period and that chrome idea continued to prevail some years after Japan was no longer occupied. I tend to agree it's some sort of bender or puller and, since it's small, it may be for some miniature work, such as for model planes, railroads, etc. Stretching it: Maybe even a fish hook bender, for when a hook is straightened from use.... *Japan is historically a "fishing" nation... since it's small, compact, readily handy.

Then there's a whole other school of thought.... Are we sure the rings are for fingers, to be inserted into? The rings may be guide rings for some other pointed(?) finger-like(?) "probe", to be guided or held in a limited position.

Otherwise, it's a fingers exerciser, for texting competitors, especially if the moveable ring unit is spring loaded.

Sonny