🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Any one know about this relic that I recovered here in Illinois, its made of brass and about 3" long

[Oldrvrrat57]

 

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[BuckleBoy]

Apologies for the delay. Here are more photos of all sides of the less crusty example I have. The brass loop on this one was only fragmentary, found with it in the same hole, so I suspected it went to it, but that was confirmed when I dug the whole piece with the brass loop (which appears to have been stretched). I feel certain that the loop was bent due to weight on the item itself.

 

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[Oldrvrrat57]

It’s a zoomorphic hook often identified as a sword hanger. Probably dates early 1800s, c. 1810-30s judging from the sites I’ve dug my two in, and the form of it is a serpent when viewed from the side

Here's some better pictures of the one I recovered in Illinois from a old home site.

 

[CRUSADER]

I think its missing it's safety band that snapped off & covered the hook area to stop the item you clipped (hung) off it coming lose.
I would think it's a late 18th-early 19th C Sword Belt Hanger. (or similar)

 

[BuckleBoy]

I think its missing it's safety band that snapped off & covered the hook area to stop the item you clipped (hung) off it coming lose.
I would think it's a late 18th-early 19th C Sword Belt Hanger. (or similar)

I tend to agree. These exhibit more wear in the top of the hole, and of course there’s the stretching of the brass loop in the example I dug, which would seem to indicate weight was hung or suspended from these items. Would the brass loop have gone around a belt?

 

[CRUSADER]

Would the brass loop have gone around a belt?

Well thats the bit that bothers me. Normally the earlier ones I'm more familiar with had holes to rivet them to the leather.
There are 2 ways these can work - Normally more than 1 hook - The loop goes on the scabbard & the hook hooks on to a belt loop or the other way around.
Just not seen that type of loop attachment before.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Well thats the bit that bothers me. Normally the earlier ones I'm more familiar with had holes to rivet them to the leather.
There are 2 ways these can work - Normally more than 1 hook - The loop goes on the scabbard & the hook hooks on to a belt loop or the other way around.
Just not seen that type of loop attachment before.

That’s the bit that bothered me too. Was exactly why I asked

 

[Bruce R]

Snap hook, missing the spring steel.

 

[CRUSADER]

Snap hook, missing the spring steel.

Makes sense but for a fancy horse or dog?