Help ID This Union Shield Thing

[davemd]

I found this at an old house site I was hunting today. I am pretty sure it is made out of brass by looking at it, and by the VDI it gave me on my detector. It measures 1 1/2 inches long and a little over an inch wide. As you can see it is a union shield with 13 stars in the field, but they are hard to make out. Towards the bottom of the shield is a small hole that looks to have been there when manufactured. I don't think it was made later, but not real sure.

The back of has some sort of tabs on it. Two at the top and two on the sides near the bottom. No clue what the tabs were for. Possibly some sort of pin or maybe this is a piece that was attached to something else.

Attached are pictures of the front and back with a quarter next to it for relative size. Appreciate any help you can give me on ID this thing.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[GRAY GHOST]

hi dave, it looks like you found a nice brass attachment device for a horses's saddle. [we call 'em saddle shields] they affixed to the leather with the bend - over prongs. nice find, and she's an old one. hh!

 

[davemd]

Thanks for the help Gray Ghost. So what time frame are we looking at as far as age? Not sure how old the house is, but it is stone and appeared on an 1876 Atlas. That is as far as I have been able to go back. Also, any idea on value? This may be my best find yet.

Thanks again,
Dave

 

[GRAY GHOST]

hey dave, your saddle shield appears to be about cw era, but you have to bear in mind that a LOT of these patriotic - themed saddle shields, buttons, watch fobs, watch cases, etc. were made, especially from during the civil war years through the nation's centennial in 1876. i've no real idea of it's worth - they are seen on cw relic sales sites anywhere from 15 bucks all the way into the hundreds, depending on a lot of factors. it's a nice example, and congrats! hh,

 

[davemd]

Thanks for all your help, Gray Ghost. This one is definitely going in my display.

Dave