Heres an easy whatsit for you.

[frogpatch]

I found this at an outdoor rummage sale by the local historical society. The basket measure 71/2 by 51/4 x 2. The whole thing is 24 inches long. I would guess by the green handle it is from the 30s - 50s. It is flimsy. My wife thought it was for roasting nuts but screening like that would burn up over direct heat for too long. I thought it could be an ash sifter but it seems too small and flimsy. It shows no sign of ever being in a fire. I am surprised that I do not know what it is but I am certain that one of you will nail this.

[mart]

Corn popper for open fire or fireplace !!  It won`t burn up because you hold it over the heat and keep it moving !!

[frogpatch]

It would not hold very much popped corn. It is only 2 inches deep and 7 inches long and five inches wide. I am not disagreeing with you Mart but the one I had for the fireplace as a kid in the 50s was three times the size of this or more. This thing is not about as big as a box of brown sugar or elbow macaroni but thinner. Maybe its a popper for early weight watchers portion control.

[mart]

Ok !! I was making a pie and just looked at the pic !!  Then it would maybe be for chestnuts ??   " Chestnuts roasting on an open fire " !!   Jack frost nipping at your nose !! La la la la !!!

[fancypants]

Maybe ...

[frogpatch]

I love boiled peanuts with Cajun seasoning. If I brought anything back from the south that would be it along with shrimp and grits. mmmmm cheese grits.  Love it.
My wife said chestnut roaster too. OK I guess she was rrrrrr... rrr...rrr...rrrrrr .. rrrrr .rrr right. That was so hard.

[mart]

Come on Frogpatch,, give the lady some credit for knowing her old stuff !!
For about 15 years hubby and I traveled in our motor home and spent a lot of time in Louisiana fishing !! Northern part not southern !! Had a friend from south La. that cooked stuff like that !! He was an excellent Cajun cook but for some reason I just could not get into boiled peanuts !! Gumbo, boudain  and all the rest I love  !! Don`t know why but they just did not float my boat !!

[frogpatch]

We love boudin and creole and and anything from there. I want to try the meat pies. I have a recipe but it is labor intensive. 

[ricer]

Could it be for making toast over an open fire?

[KC]

Vote Popcorn Popper for Fire!  Love it!

[mart]

Tried that KC !!  He said about the same size and depth as brown sugar box,, so as Frogpatch said,, would be dieters portion if used for popcorn !!  So,, we decided nuts ??

[cogar]

HA, ..... it's a large size "soap saver" for use by hotel laundries and families with lots of kids. 

[mart]

Are you joshin` us Cogar

[cogar]

Would I do that? 

Just looky here:
http://tinglefactor.typepad.com/thetinglefactorbox/2010/11/is-it-for-deep-frying-soap-saver.html

Yeah I wood. 

[KC]

Still vote popcorn popper....or a chestnut roaster!  Here's another one!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/87557357/vintage-popcorn-popper-metal-basket-wood

This does appear to be from the 50's era in style and mechanism.

The typical soap savers from 1920's to late 30's all averaged 8 - 11" handles.  This one is 24"...which is generally longer to project over a fire.  Can't tell from the pic if it is a deep basket.  If it is deep....popcorn.  If not...chestnuts!