What is it?

[garycobb]

 

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[Subterranean]

Hello Garycobb, your badge or placard is hand engraved and has tacks or nails attached to the rear. That tells me it was hammered into wood. It could be a house number or a pen number on a farm. Badges meant to be worn on clothing have very different fasteners on the reverse. Beautiful find, congrats. Sub

 

[DCMatt]

There has been considerable debate on Treasurenet about these items. It is generally called a "harness boss". I think most agree that it was used on leather horse equipment.

Do a Google image search on 'brass harness boss" and you will see similar examples.

DCMatt

 

[creskol]

Hello Garycobb, your badge or placard is hand engraved and has tacks or nails attached to the rear. That tells me it was hammered into wood. It could be a house number or a pen number on a farm. Badges meant to be worn on clothing have very different fasteners on the reverse. Beautiful find, congrats. Sub

I agree that it was used on wood like sub said. The top nail is what held it in place while the bottom nub kept it from rotating.

 

[vtgoldprospector]

Another search term that may help is "Harness Tip"

 

[garycobb]

Thanks, It is an interesting piece...I found it close to the river and a steamboat landing.