Wow, a lot of good information here. I found this in a plowed field where a homestead sat at one time. No idea of who may have lived there. In nw Ohio. I've found a lot of sash buckles as I call them, over the years and some are bent up after years of being under the plow. I've tried different ways to straighten some up and they usually end up snapping.
I really didn't know what was on this one as it was rolled up pretty good. Dropped it in some boiling water and slowly bent it out. Maybe some are made of more of a bronze or brass? Thanks for all the information.