Help with possible Civil War martingale please

[richeysd76]

Found this couple months ago near other Civil War items. Made out of brass seems to be about the right size. The ones I've seen don't have the same pattern could it be Civil War or civilian. Or is it even a piece of a martingale at all. Thanks for the help

 

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[viv poly]

Looks like an ear.

 

[trdking]

Looks like an ear.

But theres no wax?

 

[CRUSADER]

I don't think its horse related at all.

 

[DCMatt]

Looks like an ear.

Ha! A tin ear! Maybe it belongs to my dad!

 

[BosnMate]

"The Eagle Martingale Heart was not issued by the military during the Civil War, but was privately purchased individually by Cavalry Officers.
Martingales hearts were used to adorn the chest of a cavalry horse." Quoted from this page --- Eagle Martingale Heart
Looks to me like part of an eagles wing on your find, so you might be onto something. A martingale used on a horse is to keep the horses head
down, and my first thought was your find is not related to horse gear. Just a little research and I found out there are some with decorations.
This picture also comes from the same link.

 

[DCMatt]