Depending on what the reverse looks like, this may be part of a tongue and wreath buckle, the tongue portion. Based on the manufacturer name, W.Taussig and Co. He specialized in California Gold Rush attire during the beginning of the 1850s and was noted for his tongue and wreath buckles with this same emblem, often looking like a militia design in which it stylized.Not saying that this is a tongue but this would fit the bill if the back side of it supported that notion. From the pic it looks like it was broken off at the left side where it attached..