Rectangle Sterling chunk. Belt buckle?

[cudamark]

I found this piece of sterling silver yesterday and am trying to figure out what it's a part of. It appears that something is missing off the back side along the long edges. Maybe it wrapped around an was part of a belt buckle? The front side has I.A.R. etched into it in a somewhat crude manor. Custom initials? Company name? Has anyone get a good way to research that patent date? All the ones I've tried either have too many hits to even think of going through them all, or "no results". Thanks for your time.

 

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[creskol]

Open back... and sides.

But it only measures 1 1/8 inches (OD) which looks like only an inch ID wide, by 1 5/8 long. Never seen a match box or matches that small.

 

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[HuntinDog]

I think it the top of a thin belt slide pinch buckle.
Simular to this...

 

[cudamark]

As I mentioned, it looks like it had sides that have been broken off, not sawed. The ends look smooth and undamaged. They may have just been flat sides that held a belt pin or they could have wrapped around slightly to hold a drawer. Since they're missing, there's really no way to tell. The measurement inside the back side between the broken off area is 1", which would be perfect for a 1" wide belt strap or drawer. I'm more inclined to think belt buckle, but, if the actual patent photo could be found, that would decide it for sure.

 

[ARC]

But it only measures 1 1/8 inches (OD) which looks like only an inch ID wide, by 1 5/8 long. Never seen a match box or matches that small.

I did... AFTER posting... sorta think the same thing about size being too small for my opinion.

Also...

I assumed Benz went through the patent gamut... with no result to solve ?