What is this?

[Tom Hughes]

Not sure what exactly I found here. Could possibly be a civilian style iron buckle?? Just not sure and reaching out for any suggestions.

 

[Woods-walker]

Don't think I ve seen the likes of it Tom

 

[Tom Hughes]

I'm now beginning to think it's horse tack.

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

I'm now beginning to think it's horse tack.

My first thought was it might be, but the sharp edges around it made me think differently. It wouldn't be anything on the bridle at all with those sharp edges and I can't think where else it would go on the harness. The two slide things on the back keep pointing to something on the bridle as decorative piece for the edge of the browband (I'm still waking up and trying to think of the right word) but I have never, ever seen one, antique or modern with sharp edges and I have one that is well over a 100-years-old and is brass with a glass center piece, but is round and they only have ONE of those metal bridges in the back. I've never seen one with two before for the bridle.

I'm thinking it had to be something that was somewhat decorative and it would have needed to sit on where a cross piece of leather came under it to stabilize it in place. So I don't know, Tom what it was for.

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

Could it be a type of hasp?

 

[Tom Hughes]

My first thought was it might be, but the sharp edges around it made me think differently. It wouldn't be anything on the bridle at all with those sharp edges and I can't think where else it would go on the harness. The two slide things on the back keep pointing to something on the bridle as decorative piece for the edge of the browband (I'm still waking up and trying to think of the right word) but I have never, ever seen one, antique or modern with sharp edges and I have one that is well over a 100-years-old and is brass with a glass center piece, but is round and they only have ONE of those metal bridges in the back. I've never seen one with two before for the bridle.

I'm thinking it had to be something that was somewhat decorative and it would have needed to sit on where a cross piece of leather came under it to stabilize it in place. So I don't know, Tom what it was for.

Thanks for the input...It's certainly a mystery!

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

Now that my mind is working - the word is Rosette and looks something like this. These are brass and they usually were brass or silver, and can be very plain or incredibly decorated. But they are always round or mostly round and have that one bar in the back.

The only other word I could think of early this morning was "boss" and bosses are the decorative part of the side of the curb bit, which in the Union would say US on each side of the bit.

So what you have really can't be a rosette but I'm sure it was a decorative piece for something.

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

Here is a boss from The Horse Soldier in Gettysburg (sold). They are brass and would have been attached with two rivets.

 

[UCVRelics]

View attachment 450474

View attachment 450475

Not sure what exactly I found here. Could possibly be a civilian style iron buckle?? Just not sure and reaching out for any suggestions.

I'm leaning toward cotton bale loading related.

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

I'm leaning toward cotton bale loading related.

As in a label or seal?

 

[Woods-walker]

I'm leaning toward cotton bale loading related.

Interesting! I would be unfamiliar with anything to do cotton bales this far north, but I can see your point.