Beats me???

[eathabs]

Found this a while back at grandmas house.

 

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[Evolution]

Looks like half of a crotal bell.

 

[eathabs]

I thought half of a bell but not crotal. I dug a crotal this summer. The two tabs with holes have me puzzled.

 

[DCMatt]

Half of a sleigh bell. The tabs were used to attach it to the leather strap.

DCMatt

 

[QUICKSILVER (appletree)]

Looks like there may have been something attached or spotwelded over or in the opening.

 

[eathabs]

I didn't notice the three "spot welds" at the slit until looking at the photo again. That gives one more to ponder.

 

[Oroblanco]

Looks like a handguard for a SWORD to me, in fact the oblong opening at center is for the BLADE to pass through. The two eyelets are for attaching more handguard, like a basket type or bars which would be termed "knuckleguards". Similar to the one shown on this page (though this particular one is modern)
http://users.wpi.edu/~jforgeng/MartialArtsIQP/pages/epeehilt2.html
This one is also similar, but has no knuckleguard:
http://shop.fencing.net/PhotoDetails.asp?ShowDESC=N&ProductCode=FDN-31101

Here is one with a single strap knuckleguard attached to the guard:

Quite an interesting thing to find! If I had found it, I would DEFINITELY be making return visits!
your friend,
Oroblanco

 

[eathabs]

At just under 2 inches across it could be from a decorative sword.