Hello all, I am a 28-year-old US Navy vet from Pennsylvania who has picked up metal detecting as a side hobby. This past weekend I was hunting a local park whose history dates back to the Swedish settlers along the Delaware River and Darby Creek. Along with the usual coinage I find, this popped out.

I have size references and microscope images of the material it used to be attached to (I believe it to be leather). There is a lone maker’s mark, “AMERICAN”, atop the hole on one side. There do not appear to be any markings on the rivets, although electrolysis may prove me wrong. It is iron (magnetic), but I can’t give a weight.

I initially thought it was equestrian gear, but a coworker who has professionally bred and raced horses says no. Any ID would be greatly appreciated! Value is not as important, but if known it would be cool.

Thanks!
~Jon [img size=499]https://kovels.com/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/images/length.JPG[/img]
[b]Approximate dimensions 5″x2″[/b]

[img]http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o227/cti4sw/width.jpg[/img]
[b]Approximate width 10mm[/b]

[img]http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o227/cti4sw/leather2.jpg[/img]
[b]Microscope image of material – leather?[/b]