I have a forge welded iron object. What's the likely age?

Factual Questions
21

I’m going to declare this thread basicaly dead and ask again later.

Thanks for the help everyone.
Sage Rat I was really expeting this piece was from around 1850, but its a feeling only. M<aybe someday I’ll know more. This is s peicew I always keep my eye searching for, when doing other things and one day I might spy something that leaves no doubt as to my piece’s function.

22

It looks like a stirrup from an old military saddle. I tried to find a picture, but no luck.
Most of it would have been covered with leather. The “button” projections would be for adjusting the length.

23

I was thinking stirrup for a saddle was a good possibility.