Eagle flagstaff toppers

[major bill]

When I went to a convention this spring Ronn Steele had a great display about " Eagle Flagstaff Toppers of the American Civil War" including 8 eagle flagstaff toppers. Today I reviewed an image of hizd fine display. This made me wonder about the 'rules' for flagstaff toppers.

When the Michigan battle flags were stored at the Capital the cut the flagstaffs to fit in the cabinets. Now the flags reside at the Michigan History Center. There are over 100 flagstaff toppers and there are many styles of toppers in the collection.

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

Flag pole finials | Edged Weapons

There were several styles of flag pole finials used during the Civil War. Although they look like they could be used as weapons, most were only for decoration. It seems like of couple of styles of spear points were common during the Civil War, but some seem to have eagles or simple balls. This...

civilwartalk.com

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

http://capitol.michigan.gov/Content/Files/flagstaffs.pdf

"During the Civil War, each battle flag was carried on a long wooden pole, called a staff. Infantry staffs were called "pikes" and by regulation measured nine feet ten inches in length, including the decorative element, or finial, at the end of the staff. Such tall staffs were necessary to carry the huge six-by-six-and-one-half foot infantry flags high enough to be seen during battle or on march. Cavalry flag staffs were called "lances" and measured only nine feet long. Cavalry flags were much smaller than infantry flags and the shorter staffs were easier to carry on horseback. Flags were attached to staffs by nails, making it harder to lose them during battle."