I Found This Heavy Iron Thing in My Great-Aunt’s Attic, and She Says Every Woman of Her Time Used One..What Is It Actually Used For? 🤔

had removable handles so that a cooler handle could be clipped onto whichever iron was hot.
Examine the body
Is it solid, or does it open? Is there a hinge, a latch, or small air holes? Solid irons were heated from the outside, while hollow ones were filled with coals.
Look for markings
Turn the iron around and check every surface. Many old irons carry a size number, a brand, a patent date, or a place name cast into the metal.
Sizes were often marked as numbers, such as No. 3, No. 5, or No. 8, showing the weight and size.
The Place Where You Found It Is a Clue Too
Sometimes the object itself isn’t enough, and the location can tell us more.
• Near an old stove or fireplace: it was probably heated nearby.
• In a trunk or wardrobe: it was kept with linens and clothes.
• In an attic