Help identifying a military adornment

[masshunter]

I've seen this piece many years ago in a magazine article or online.
The top part is a lions head and below a serpent in the form of a hook.
I'm almost positive it's a military adornment of some kind.

Wondering what I may have here has bothered me for years and I finally
dug it out of storage. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[TnCobra]

Sword hanger

Havn't seen one that fancy. Most of the war stuff is plain.

 

[shotgunbrass]

SNAKE Buckle

You have two thirds of a "SNAKE" buckle. Originally it had another identical Lion's head belt keeper that fastened to the open end of the snake. Most of this type were imported from England for military militia use in the 1840-1860 period.