Anyone know what this is?

[quantum]

There is a ring that slides up the handle to allow the metal "basket" to open.

I don't know what it is, but it can be viewed here:

[goodcitizen]

I have something like that and I use it to fry food. 

[cookiem]

When I was a kid and we went to our summer cottage, we had something very similar to this and we cooked food in an open fire with it, when the ring pulled down it opened, right? Also something is also telling me that people use to put hot coals or wood in it to keep water hot in a pale..
Hope I shed some light on it.
Cookie
 

[cogar]

quantum, check a Kitchen Collectible book, I am sure you will find it there.

That looks like one for cooking chicken, potatoes, etc. in a pot of hot oil or over an open fire. Some are larger and thinner so one can put 1 or more steaks, chops or hamburgers on/in ...... and easily "flip" them over to "cook the other side".

I once had an old wood burning kitchen stove, .... in my kitchen ..... and used one of those to "grill my steaks" in the winter time.