Interesting, interesting. Several years back on a USAF-related forum a new member (in the intro post identified himself as an Army Reservist) who said he was on a former active duty USAF Base and there was an Air Force object he needed help identifying. After several posts, including, "Does it keep telling you he's a fighter pilot? That's a fighter pilot." we realized we'd been phished.
I have no clue what it is, but the part (handle?) at the top appears to be able moveable at an angle as it is riveted on both sides, and the bottom appears to me to fit something specific the way it is bent.
The eyelets look hand forged, can't tell if they're welded or riveted but someone went to some effort to make it that way.
Is that a rubber hose or garden hose? Might not be period specific.
I would lean to the fur stretcher idea.