That was fast, we have a winner.
They are jess'es (I am sure I am spelling that wrong) for tethering live decoys (tollers or Judas birds).
At this point there shouldn't be anyone alive who has used them "legally" in America.
One of the more seasoned members of my Rotary club handed them to me today at lunch, they were his uncles and I am sure were used here in Maryland probably on the Eastern shore but could have been right here on the Potomac.
They fit well with my sneak boat, cork blocks and hammer guns...I admit I like outboards and gore tex though.....