> Couple of thoughts: the little 'hair pin' clips used to secure washers
> bearings on a shaft;

Circlips ?

> l snap buttons (as used on shirts or coats).  I
> think the best thought might be the hair pin clips - think of a small
> version of the clip that attaches the ground wire to a scope probe.

Two possibles

Spring clip

http://www.springfixlinkages.com/catalog_metric_main.htm

or a clevis pin retainer

http://www.rswww.co.nz/

Search for product 839268, click on Photo Index, click pic to enlarge

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