What was this buckle used for ??

[Gribnitz]

I found this in a civil war encampment, but don't know if it is period or not. If it is period, I want to have it dunked in electolysis and cleaned up. It looks like a buckle a strap of leather may have gone through, but what was it used for ?

 

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[d2]

I may be wrong but it looks like a snap for a horse lead...d2

 

[Michelle]

it looks to be an attachment for a belt to hook/ hang something from...guessing! It is iron right?

 

[nhbenz]

Grib, what are the measurements?

 

[Michelle]

Also is it an open end hook?

 

[Gribnitz]

It is about 6 inches long end to end and the part a strap goes through is about 2 inches wide. The hook end just looks like it hangs over something. It doesn't have a little catching latch to close it.

 

[Michelle]

Part of a saddle hook/strap.....

 

[Gribnitz]

Part of a saddle hook/strap.....

Is it older ? I kinda figured it would be some kind of horse tack, or a buckle for a wagon, but I am not familiar with any of it. Do they still use them or could it be civil war era ?

 

[Michelle]

Probably civil war era...being iron....not sure they are still made of iron...still looking...