Any idea what this copper loop was used for?

[Fossils]

Hi all. I was recently hunting a site where I have unearthed artifacts from colonial to the Victorian Period, and found this item. It's an oval loop made of copper, that looks to have broken off from a larger object. Any ideas to its purpose would be much appreciated. Right now I'm thinking that it might be either some sort of scissors handle (although the shape of ring is a little bit off) or maybe some sort of part associated with horse tackle. Thanks and happy hunting!

 

[JHinPA]

My guess is that it is a finger loop from a broken pair of small scissors. Brass, which may have (?) been plated at one time. Victorian era. JHinPA

 

[Toecutter]

Judging by the wear on the rounded end Id say some sort of rains guide....brass not copper...

 

[bowwinkles]

Looks to be a rope guide that was associated with boats maybe.

 

[civilman1]

Looks like part of a gag loop.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Civilman1 is the first to give the correct answer. More specifically, it is a broken brass "gag loop" component of a gag-chain from buggy/carriage/wagon horse-harness. See the illustration showing a complete one, in the 1912 Pierson & Hough Co. horse-equipment mailorder catalog. There is also a possibility it is a broken "gag runner" (also from a gag-harness), shown in the 1907 J.M. Eilers & Co. catalog.

I'm reasonably sure it is not a broken horse-harness "swivel," as shown in the 1909 Pittsburgh Harness Supply Co. catalog, because your find's body is thick round wire rather than the band shape seen on the swivel.

My fellow relic diggers... I suggest you add these late-1800s-to-early-1900s horsegear catalogs into a folder on your computer, because they are priceless helpers for CORRECTLY identifying the various brass objects we find around old house-sites and farms. Here's a link to the complete J.M. Eilers & Co. 1907 horse-harness & saddlery catalog, in "searchable" .pdf format.
https://archive.org/details/catalogueno200jmei/page/n18/mode/2up

 

[creskol]

Can you give the actual dimensions of that piece? Also, are you certain it is copper and not brass? Thanks.

 

[WVExplorer]

Thanks for the link CBG

 

[eyemustdigtreasure]

Perhaps it is a Reins Guide, from a wagon or buggy...?

 

[creskol]

I'd still like to know what the actual dimensions of that piece are and if you certain it is copper and not brass?