✅ SOLVED Possibly another style of harness connector…

[Blackfoot58]

Steamy hot day. I still had to get my MD fix for the day. Lots of nails, wire and rusty tin. A couple of broken hinges and the item in photo. I’m purely guessing that it had wood or harness leather sandwiched between it at one time. Thanks

 

[Almy]

Agree with you. Likely wood end sandwiched between the metal wings and bolted in place, leaving the ring free to hitch. Could be the end of a hame (I think the name is) that goes alongside the horse and is fastened at its front and rear. It's handmade, probably in a farmer-blacksmith's shop. Neat artifact.

 

[villagenut]

Probably a rope trace clip...as seen here.

 

[Blackfoot58]

Probably a rope trace clip...as seen here.View attachment 2087317

You nailed it IMO. Thanks for showing the reference sheet. I’m learning a lot about harnesses.👍🏼