Found this exactly the way it sits when I was taking the trim covers off the steering column. It looks like it's been sitting there for a decade or so based on the mark it's made on the trim itself.
Looks like either a wiring retainer clip or the clip that holds the column shroud together at the bottom of the steering column.
On a side note: Wow, that is a LOT of dirt and rust! How did it get into the steering column like that?
The shroud clip would make sense. It didn't have anything holding it together when I took it off. I'll check it out tomorrow and see if that fits anywhere.
Alot of out in a field sitting with the windows down I'm sure. My favorite today was when I took the metal top dash cover off. There was an area under there with one bird dropping. All I could think was what the what? How in heavens name did a bird get here.
That holds together and locks to the column the round steering column cover
If it were cleaned up, seems it would slide on here with ease. Thanks again, Don.