trying to add more photos

Another thought is that it may be a blacksmith's tool only because the wood handle appears to be burned a bit?

Correct, that's a soldering iron.

You heat it with a charcoal furnace like this:

Casey

Cool! Thanks to both of you.

If you need another opinion, I agree with Casey.

It is a soldering iron. It could have been used with a blow torch. In the link below, look in the second row to find a torch by Huffman. That one is set up for soldering. It has rests on top for holding the iron in the flame. The forward rest appears half gone. Farther down on this page are more examples.

As a young guy, I have used a blow torch and soldering iron. The blow torch was handy for other jobs as well. The flame was adjustable and powerful. The blow torch had an element of danger and was phased out in favor of electric irons and propane torches. However, the heat output far exceeded that of today's propane/mapp torches.

The blow torch was very handy in locations without electricity. However, if the blow torch sprang a leak, the user could be badly burned or the garage burned down. One potential leak source was the pressure pump.

https://www.etsy.com/market/blow_torch

Blow torch can leave soot on the iron which isn't conducive to clean soldering. The old-time metal roofer I know still uses charcoal because the irons stay clean. At least two of them so one's always in the fire.

Casey

HERE is youtube showing the use of soldering iron on copper.

Thanks to all for the info! You learn something new everyday...Truth be told, I bought it just because I liked the look of it, and the worn color. Glad I know its actual purpose now!

I'm pretty sure that I have one of these somewhere. I think it came from my family's garage. I've never used it or seen it used.