Flag pole finials

[major bill]

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 one is from a 1957 Company of Military Historians Uniforms in America series. Note it looks like a weapon. A flag being used like a battleax?

I am not sure how accurate the details in this very old uniform plate are. What about the outfit worn by the woman? Note the militiaman on the far right has fallen asleep.

 

[major bill]

I take it U.S. Army finials had some set pattern but perhaps it was anything goes for militia units.

 

[UCVRelics]

Here is one from my collection which I believe was from a regimental US Flag. I have a guidon topper that I dug in Wilson's 1865 winter camps here in Alabama but I will have to dig it out again. Pardon the pun.

 

[major bill]

Not much of a weapon but nice eagle.

 

[Western Reserve Volunteer]

The finial on that flag has a halberd look about it...many years prior to the American Revolution, Halbreds where a weapon found among early militias, used by infantry to protect musket men in the days before the bayonet. Many hung on into the Revolutionary period as weapons for ceremonial guards in legislatures, and as alternatives to the infnatry espontoon, a badge of officers rank. I suppose the halberd finial is the final (pardon the pun) evolution of that marital tradition.

Personally I am not sure how accurate that plate is, those hats look suspiciously similar to the dress hats of the 1870s regulations, an example of which I own.

 

[Cpl. Smith]

The finial on that flag has a halberd look about it...many years prior to the American Revolution, Halbreds where a weapon found among early militias, used by infantry to protect musket men in the days before the bayonet. Many hung on into the Revolutionary period as weapons for ceremonial guards in legislatures, and as alternatives to the infnatry espontoon, a badge of officers rank. I suppose the halberd finial is the final (pardon the pun) evolution of that marital tradition.

Personally I am not sure how accurate that plate is, those hats look suspiciously similar to the dress hats of the 1870s regulations, an example of which I own.

Sounds good

 

[Package4]

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 one is from a 1957 Company of Military Historians Uniforms in America series. Note it looks like a weapon. A flag being used like a battleax?

View attachment 189922

I am not sure how accurate the details in this very old uniform plate are. What about the outfit worn by the woman? Note the militiaman on the far right has fallen asleep.

In actuality, the artist got the uniform almost exactly correct:

"By the first of May, we had received our handsome gray uniforms from Philadelphia. These uniforms, which we so gaily donned and proudly wore, consisted of a frock coat, single breasted with, with two rows of State buttons, pants to match with black stripe, waist belt of black leather, cross belt of white webbing, gray cap with pompom." Reminisces of the Guilford Grays, Chapter 1 pgs 5&6.

Pompoms were very popular both before and after the war and widely used by militia, there was an effort to mimic the M1851 US Army shako without the great expense of the high crowned piece. Most of these caps did not survive after the rigors of the first few months of war, but to war they went.

 

[CMWinkler]

 

[Package4]

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 one is from a 1957 Company of Military Historians Uniforms in America series. Note it looks like a weapon. A flag being used like a battleax?

View attachment 189922

I am not sure how accurate the details in this very old uniform plate are. What about the outfit worn by the woman? Note the militiaman on the far right has fallen asleep.

I would hate to imagine what that would do to a silk flag if not handled properly...……….

 

[major bill]

Would a "spear point" finial have caused damage to the flag on a windy day? It would seem a round ball would save damage to a flag.

 

[Western Reserve Volunteer]

An update on Halbred Head Finials...

https://www.flagcollection.com/reso...tionHTMLZone_Code=tours_americanmountedtroops

"Captured Fort Hindman, a very rare Swallowtail Confederate guidon... it was originally discovered furled around it's staff with it's red painted tin "halberd head" finial."

So apparently the Guliford Gray were not the only ones who thought such an adornment pretty. Intesting note on the early war cap pompoms, never heard that before but I suppose that makes sense, the Federal Shakos of the early war were pretty but expensive! I have seen pompoms on the sleeve-cuffs of Zouaves as well.