I've always thought the piece next to the bracket there was a washer. The longer I look at it, the more unsure I am. It could also be the front shank of the grommet if its sticking out from the strap enough. It does seem like its a brass color. That doesn;t mean it can't be a washer, but it is a point if favor of the grommet. The pics are just too poor to know for sure. I would take test pics of mock-ups to see what matches better with the photos. I don't have all my parts in yet for this so I can't take those photos. I leave it to you, good sir. I predict it's a brass washer there.