Can anybody tell me what this thing is(see pic)? It is old. All the metal pieces are hand forged and the two nails that are at each end are square hand-forged. The wood (possibly maple?)is obviously hand-hewn.

The thing is about four-feet long. What may be the bottom is uneven. The lever appears to be something for chopping, but is entirely made of wood. It has no metal cutting edge. The lever fits loosely withing the base.

I have had a number of people guess at the function, but on one can say for sure what it is.