brake and clutch pedal question

[duffer]

While i was under the car looking around i noticed this on loop on the brake pedal shaft with nothing connected to it. Is there supposed to be something on this or was it put together wrong? Sees to work fine the way it is .Just looks funny.Here is a picture from the top and bottom.

 

[Rock Hornbuckle]

It looks like somone welded that on. Maybe (I'm guessing) for an additional brake return spring?

 

[MAG]

I have a brake pedal with the same modification. It was used to operate the master cylinder for hydraulic brakes.