Someone is advertising what they call a "welding safety apron" in the local FB Marketplace; it's basically a heavy leather apron with a quilted fabric lining, with a slit and leg straps like a farrier's apron. The interesting thing is that most of it is covered with heavy metal staples that go all the way through. Anyone seen anything like this before? I imagine it would be good for industrial shops where there's a high chance of getting cut, but I suspect the staples might not be great for keeping the heat from a forge at bay.

I suspect that it would be used by a meat cutter or butcher to defend against accidental cuts, similar to mail gloves, sleeves, or aprons.  I suspect that it would be inferior to a regualr leather apron for blacksmithing because of the weight and lower insulation.  I'd pass even if it was free.

GNM

I see what you mean, but the absence of bloodstains might argue against butchery. 

It may be unused by its intended folk.

Fair enough. It is suspiciously clean. 

Might be good if you sharpened a lot of knives or did a lot of wire wheel work. It'd probably be just the thing if your shop gremlins come at you with little simitars but I think it's specialty PPE for other than blacksmithing or hot shop work.

Looks cool though, maybe a Halloween costume? 

Frosty The Lucky.