What is it? (Metal Detector Find)

[aDawn]

I finally got myself a metal detector and used it in my parents yard. The very first thing I found was this At least it wasn't garbage!
Not sure if it helps any, but the lot that my parents' house is on used to have a church on it way, way back when.

It's fairly heavy and has a rectangular pass through on the back. I thought it was a drawer pull at first but the back doesn't seem right. Maybe a rosette from a bridle? Or maybe I'm way off base 

I know it's rusted and dinged up, I'm not expecting it to be a priceless artifact    But it's my first find and I'm pleased with it haha. Now I just want to know what "it" is...

Thoughts?

Thanks as always!

[mart]

Looks to be a little larger than a  quarter,, right ??  Have you tried to polish it up ?? If rusty it has to be iron !!  Usually a rosette would be something that could be shined up (silver) as the purpose would be to look good so I doubt that is what it is. My other suggestion would be a ladies purse closure that may have been painted !!  Is there a color anywhere on it ??  Whatever it is,, its a great find !! You will have a blast with your detector !!  Old church yards are known for having coins found !!  Keep looking !! If your town has a historical society,, they might have info on the church and possibly the layout of the grounds !!  Around the entrance is a good place to  hunt !!

[aDawn]

Aaaah, I hadn't thought of the lack of shine...Is there a way to clean it up better if it's iron? I guess it's just going to remain rusted

I'm going to check in with our historical society soon to get an idea for where to look. My parents found lots of old coins years ago when they were rebuilding the porch...I wish we had a reason to rebuild again so I could get in there with my detector, haha.

[mart]

Ha !!! Check that porch closely,, those boards may need replacing by now !!  Try looking close to the porch foundation !!  They may have missed a few !!

[KC]

Can you please take a pic of it at a different angle from the one you have posted of the last one.  Side view.

[aDawn]

Sure. I'll get one up hopefully later tonight. You just want the side, right? Not another of the opening?

[jondar]

Try a magnet, if its ferrous metal (iron, steel) it will stick.  As to cleaning up iron, an acidic gel called Naval Jelly will take the rust off down to the bare metal, and can be purhased at almost any hardware store.  I just cleaned up a steel draftsmans ruler which was my late father-in-law's with the gel.  It will leave the metal medium dark gray and will have to be burnished with fine steel wool or a mild bronze buffing wheel.

[KC]

I don't believe the opening is wide enough for a "standard" strap to pass through this?!?!?

I am thinking more for ornamentation....

[aDawn]

Thanks for the replies! I'm afraid I will be away from it for a few days now but I'll post another picture when I get back to Minnesota.

Crammed (tightly) in a car full of people right now on the road to Oklahoma, haha.

[talesofthesevenseas]

I think you might have a decorative piece from a horse's bridle. This is REALLY neat the way the casting is irregular and not perfectly uniform. I think you've got something quite old here.

[mart]

Thanks for the replies! I'm afraid I will be away from it for a few days now but I'll post another picture when I get back to Minnesota.

Crammed (tightly) in a car full of people right now on the road to Oklahoma, haha.

Hope you are headed for the mountains,,hovering about 99 degrees here !!  We are not far from Oklahoma !!

[aDawn]

Unfortunately not

Going from a nice 75 degrees to 106! Not the first time, but I can't stand that heat!
Wish me luck. I hope I don't melt, haha.