Can someone identify this hook?

[Ism]

Found in a field that has been coughing up late 19th century artifacts and coins.
My guess was either a brass rope hook or a finger hook for lifting a hot pot off a stove by the bail.
It looks hand crafted. I'm not sure whether the bend was intentional or accidental.
All online searches were fruitless, I couldn't find anything that was similar.
Thanks for looking.
Ran

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

Gag-runner for Harness (horse) Dowlin patent January 27, 1880.

 

[chrisplay2004]

Looks like a big GREEN Check to me...

 

[Ism]

Awesome ID.
I knew if I gave my thoughts on its purpose I would be wrong...lol

Thanks BCH

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

UW if you want to read the patent: http://www.google.com/patents?id=IB...lected_pages&cad=2#v=onepage&q=223896&f=false

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Heres a November 9 1880 patent (the hook goes up instead of down)