unknown nice oak wooden item

Can anyone tell me what this really is, and how old it may be?
It's 26 1/2" long, 4" wide at the end of the clamp jaws and 2" thick.
I bought it many years ago because it seemed very unique and the wood looks very nice,
I have recently tried exhaustive searches on the internet to identify it with no luck at all.
I even sent some pics to antique archeology, but they did not know what it is, they responded that I should try Collectors Weekly.
When I bought it, I was told it was an old Leather Workers Knee Clamp.
The antique shop owner said that the workers held the clamp vertically between their knees with the clamp end up and squeezed the leather between the clamp jaws while they worked on it. Apparently the lever which serves to open the clamp jaws a bit, maybe be to insert the leather.
This seems a reasonable expaination as there is some wear on the bottom end. It must not have had much use, no matter its; purpose.
It seems to be a scarce, if not rare, item these days, so if anyone could give me a current value on it for insurance purposes, I would appreciate that also.
Thanks,
Harry1492