A decender? Or part of horse tack?

[SeekerProB]

This is on another page where people are wanting an ID. Anyone here know what this is?

 

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[creskol]

I think it is an older version of one of these:

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I think it is an older version of one of these:

I learn about something new here everyday... I've never heard of anything like this before.
Dave

 

[SeekerProB]

I think it is an older version of one of these:

We have discussed that but the consensus is that it is not. Someone said it was horse tack but does not have a reference.

 

[creskol]

We have discussed that but the consensus is that it is not. Someone said it was horse tack but does not have a reference.

Good luck with the ID

 

[wingmaster]

It's not a figure 8 descender it wouldn't be flat at the top. HH

 

[creskol]

I contacted my nephew, Will Gadd. For those of you who don't know who Will Gadd is, check out his website: Will Gadd ? Athlete, Speaker, Guide
I believe he is of the highest authority on these sorts of things. Here is what he had to say about your item.

That’s an old-school figure 8 with horns. Modern pic below, but very much the same basic idea. The one he found looks pretty old relatively speaking (these things probably haven’t been around for longer than about 40 years give or take?). Some history here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figure_8_(belay_device)


And one with horns like his: https://sky5store.com.au/store-categories/brands/rock-exotica/rescueeight-figure-8-with-horns/

So there you have it .. Believe it or not.