My goodness, that is fascinating! It almost looks like a can opener.

I think it *might* be some sort of pan grabber/pot lifter type thing? Or maybe some sort of canning apparatus?

Maybe some sort of grabber thingie, but it is nearly impossible to see detail against that background. Any chance of a better picture against a plain, contrasting backbround?

I think gudnis might be on the right track. My mother had a pot with a detachable handle, so the pot could be put in the oven. There was a tab sticking out from the rim of the pot to which the handle was attached. There was a locking mechanism to fasten the handle to the pot - I think that's what is pictured.

Looks like it may be an old Pyrex removable handle: http://www.shopgoodwill.org/auctions/Vintage-Pyrex-Detachable-Glass--Metal-Pot-Handle-8761976.html

This was used as a handle for Corning Ware baking dishes in the 60's and 70's. This also made it possible to use the dishes on top of the stove so you could hold onto the dish while stirring or removing it from the burner.

It's either glass or plastic for the "handle" so I'm doubting its a snap on handle. That wouldn't make much sense to make like that when the rest is metal.

This looks almost identical to this thing we had growing up that you used to help open stubborn lids. It pinches down if you hold it right and (in this case- turn the little lever up to a lid on a jar so it pinches under it. Then it makes it relatively easy to twist the handle and open any lid. Problem was, 9 times out of 10 it would slip while turning and pinch the living hell out of your hand. I had many a bandaid related mishaps with that awful thing growing up, but it worked!

It looks exactly like the one in the link from ph0enixinflight, so I'd say it is in fact a pot handle for Pyrex or Corningware dishes. The glass handle would match the glassware pot since that's what Pyrex and Corningware specialized in.

Maybe it's the PTSD from having a Pyrex glass cooking pot explode when I was a kid but I wouldn't dare use any of the vintage glass cookware on the stove these days.

ccpmbd is right. Removeable handle for Corning wear pot

It looks a bit like a 'Manche A Gigotlette', a device used to hold legs or chops of lamb for carving. In this case the proportions and design seem better suited to something like a goose leg. .....just a thought.

Mystery kitchen cr*p is the BEST! I think he should frame it, in a very formal frame, and ask house visitors to guess what the mystery object might be.

You can see it in action here:
http://www.onlineauction.com/index.php?page=auction:view_item&auction_id=1414478

Pyrex FlameWare and Glass Handle

Thanks everyone for solving my mystery! The goodwill link does look identical. I guess it is a removable pot holder. I will tell my friend.