Found in Iowa cow pasture.

[TimC]

On a farm outside of Lansing, Iowa I found this at about three inches down. It looks like brass with a thin green paint coating. The loop area is preshaped much like todays scissors handles. The iron at the other end rotates. It's not a cotter pin, but may have the same function. Help me out.

TimC

 

[Discrimination Dave]

Hey Tim,
How big is it? 3" or so?

 

[TimC]

It's 5" inches long.

 

[warsawdaddy]

Kinda looks like it may have been part of a bridle/bit

 

[Discrimination Dave]

Buggy hardware

 

[Discrimination Dave]

Yes. W Daddy is on to it, but does seem small for a bit.
Goat harness!

 

[Old_Okie]

Agree that it is one cheekpiece of a reining bit.

Old_Okie

 

[extractor]

Maybe, small horse bitt

 

[baspinall]

I found a similar item not to long ago. I was told it was a "gag bit" from a harness.

Brian

 

[Roger Mn.]

It looks like a glass cutter.

 

[CRUSADER]

All I can add is the rotating iron piece would be repeated on the other side (where the indentation is)