what is it, civil war, shermans army

[salvage diver]

this was found at a civil war site where Shermans army spent the spring of 1864. There was also a pontoon bridge that the union forces built to cross the Tennessee river. The location was in north Alabama NOT Tennessee. it is quite light and looks like the roman number 3 stamped into it, also 4 holes in it that are perfectly spaced in a square. all details are clearly visible.
thanks for any input.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

How to Research for Treasure Hunting and Metal Detecting From Lead Generation to Vetting - Grab it through Amazon!

[creskol]

I don't think that is a roman numeral .. looks like letters ZIC or something like that

 

[Lafitte Deux]

Can you show a pic of the other side? Might be a back-plate for a chest handle.

 

[Monty]

Just for laughs I was comparing the size of the object with the things in the yard. Well, it's almost as big as your kiddie swing set. It's bigger than a dog and a small child, but it is still smaller than your hand. Dang that's spooky! Monty

 

[salvage diver]

Will Monty you should have been a detective with those observational skills. its too light for the swing, the dog wont eat it, and my hand is 2x the size (give or take an inch or two)

Lafitte Deux, the back is just an imprented mark to make the front raised. looks exactally the same only reverse.

Creskol, if you could see it in person it is clearly has one solid line on top and another on bottom connected be three lines in the middle. The lines and holes are evenly centered and spaced, with the exception of the dent that makes the right hand side blury.

THANKS TO EVERY PERSON WHO LOOKS AND TRIES TO HELP.