sorahc,
Kuger is providing some great clues to your item. We often see similar stamped brass items, (though without this type of fancy decoration), with two long rectangular punched slots. These were the adjustment slides on 19th Century belts, to take up slack thereby creating a tight fit. In recent years, diggers and collectors have come to refer to these as belt "keepers" or "adjusters". From researching period advertisements of the era, I've noted they were actually known then as belt "slides".
The style such as you have here, with three punched rectangular slot openings, is not seen as frequently. These may have actually been worn as an adjustment slide on a Victorian era belt, or even in fact serving as the entire buckle for a fancy women's belt (one end of the belt sewn into this, and the other slack end threaded through and cinched tightly. The time frame likely dates to the 1860's, and maybe a decade or two later. My impression is that these are most likely women's civilian items.
My collection of 19th Century images, original daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, and ferrotypes, featuring women and children wearing belts and buckles, is quite extensive. I do not recall seeing a match to the style you have here though, in my photo collection. A couple images are included below to show examples of 19th Century belts, along with the adjustment slide.
CC Hunter
...Told ya Mr. CC was something else!!!Bravo my friend!I swore I had a "three slot",in my collection,but alas....if I do,I cant find it!
