What Is It? – November 2013

Any ideas what this object might be?

What Is It? - November 2013

Stewart Warren of Shoal Lake, Man., writes, “My brother, Bryce, bought this item at a yard sale for a couple of dollars and gave it to me. The base is cast iron and the rest is made of steel. It measures 22 inches at its highest point, is 12 inches wide at its broadest point and weighs 22 pounds. Any ideas?”