type holder or not?

My guess is typeholder for a rubber stamp machine. Foil stamping is another possibilty. Brass type was used with both processes.

I think it is for hot foil.
The short brass type is held between the bars and the screws are tightened up against one of the bars to hold the type tight. It is a variation on a slip case.
The whole lot is then locked up in a hot foil press.

A F you post a fairly ambiguous entry, asking for advice including *Things* and Brass fonts, Type by another name??
And then when P. I. and P. P. give you their best shot(s) you then take them to pieces, ungratefully!! Perhaps!!
Why not wait for a wider consensus of opinion rather than jump the gun??
Plus my 5 cents worth follows:- Having seen most things, retro, print related, since 1954, I would concur with P.I. & P. P
The appearance of the pictured items is completely synonymous with Hot Foil and/or Gold Blocking, (as in bookbinding!!) but both involving heat, as evident on the steel pieces?? or they have been fished out of the sea or the Acid Rain has taken its toll!!
P.I. - P.P. Thank you. Nil Desperandum.

Mick, AF is a spammer — probably collecting email addresses or otherwise trying to clog the works. Not at all interested in letterpress or even reading the responses, unless you click the link embedded — which I do not advise!

Right, AdellaFey and her clone TyreeAbts and now the more obvious buynikefree have been putting spam links into their vague posts quite a lot recently.

AdLibPress, Thank You Sir, reasonably assumed that as our friends had posted their best shots, in reply to help the original enquirer with posted pics, input my humble efforts in good faith and as sort of back up!!
Perhaps my comprehension and understanding of the workings of B.P. and contributors, therein, has a steep learning curve yet to be achieved!!Thanks and regards, Mick