Material: Brass, hollow-back construction
Diameter: 15 mm
Design: This circular decorative fitting features a five-pointed Lone Star suspended within a solid outer frame. The design relies on strategic negative space, with open-air voids separating each star point from the outer perimeter ring. It is struck from solid brass and features an unpolished, lightly stippled face texture with subtly beveled inner edges that catch the light. The reverse side houses a standardized threaded screw-post and a low-profile steel machine screw, allowing the piece to be securely fastened down flush onto thick material.
Circa: Mid 20th Century
Notes:
Items of this nature are classified as conchos, which originates from the Spanish word for "shell." Originally fashioned by Navajo silversmiths from Mexican silver pesos to adorn saddles and bridles, the iconic star-in-a-circle motif evolved to represent law enforcement badges across the American West. Today, these specific open-frame varieties are highly sought after by leather artisans for customizing heavy utility belts, motorcycle chaps, and horse saddles.