✅ SOLVED key-like object

[McCDig]

Was out on a relic hunt today and, within a couple feet of a flat button recovery, I dug this object that looks like a key.
It is tapered in two directions.
Anyone seen one of these?


Thanks to Smokey for bringing this into the context of Civil War era and to creskol for making the correct id as part to a latch for a satchel, saddle bag, or carpet bag. Also thanks to Bruce D. Carter of the Metal Detecting Maryland Facebook group for making the same id as creskol and directing me to the group IDME, where numerous examples of this exact type of object have been posted.

 

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[smokeythecat]

I have one or more from Civil War battlefields, but I don't remember what they're for. Maybe a balance scale.

 

[McCDig]

Thanks Smokey. Good to know a fellow digger has recovered one and that gives an approximate date.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

McCDig, your small brass "arrowhead-looking" find is definitely a leather strap-tip from a valise, made in the mid-1800s. The three little circles on it are the heads of the tiny brass rivets which attached it to the leather strap's end. The slot in it is for a "catch" which kept the strap from accidentally coming loose. See the photo below.

By the way... I like your signature-line's testimony.

 

[McCDig]

Thanks Brother! Thanks, too, for the picture. Digging the past brings us back to a time when life was much simpler, not idyllic by any means, but a lot slower pace. Great to dig relics. Thanks again for shining some light on this obscure metal object.

 

[A2coins]

Great Id