Coal Incinerator

My brother's moving into a house that has a cylindrical stove in the basement/garage. Hand-fed, ash door but no box, grate, coal remnants, round sliding lid. House was built in '53 and has had one owner since.

The blueprints for the house say it's and "incinerator" but I can't see a practical way for it to burn garbage. You'd have to start the fire first, then slide the metal lid over to drop in garbage?

I'm thinking it's just a stove for the workshop. Too bad there's a big crack in the body ... right through it. I'll take pictures next time I'm over there.

Does anyone have any ideas on this thing? what, how, why etc?

After I post pics, if anyone's interested in buying it, I'm sure he'd be willing to part with it.

thanks
pb