Civil War Flag Pole Top

[warguy]

Nice! Based on your post, looks like mine in post 9 might be a match for the Ohio style? Thanks for sharing. 

[ken1967]

17 hours ago, warguy said:

Nice! Based on your post, looks like mine in post 9 might be a match for the Ohio style? Thanks for sharing. 

It looks like it to me though I'm still learning about these eagles. As I understand, the patterns on many of them were continued in production post-war. The difference was the level of detail wasn't the same as during the CW period. While detail level is subjective (IMO), I'm working with Del and another long-time CW finial collector to learn how to tell the difference between CW and post-war versions of an eagle.

[ken1967]

22 hours ago, warguy said:

Nice! Based on your post, looks like mine in post 9 might be a match for the Ohio style? Thanks for sharing. 

I ran your pic past Del and he said it was a Cairns & Bro. New York eagle finial. While there were some made post-war, he feels yours is CW period. 

[warguy]

Wow, thanks so much for doing that. I am really happy to have the information. Kevin

[Outtair]

These are beautiful presentations. I have an Eagle pole topper that Ken has identified as 1890 t0 WWI. I got this in a collection of dug Civil War items from an estate with no history.  I would like to mount it like all of the above. What I hope is someone has a picture of how it mounts.  There are 2small holes for the claws and a large hole in the tail feathers, what am I missing. Can anybody help?

Thanks, 

Tim

[Hazynj]

8.6 ft. Horstmann Bros Philadelphia plate on pole.  Open beak. Bought today.

[manayunkman]

6 hours ago, Hazynj said:

8.6 ft. Horstmann Bros Philadelphia plate on pole.  Open beak. Bought today.

Similar to mine but not exactly.

 

How were you able to ID it?

[Hazynj]

43 minutes ago, manayunkman said:

Similar to mine but not exactly.

 

How were you able to ID it?

Horstmann Bros Philadelphia plate. Horstmann Bros were in Philly from 1843 - 1893. Hard to say when this piece was produced but we know before 1893.

[manayunkman]

56 minutes ago, Hazynj said:

Horstmann Bros Philadelphia plate. Horstmann Bros were in Philly from 1843 - 1893. Hard to say when this piece was produced but we know before 1893.

Very nice.

[Hazynj]

15 minutes ago, manayunkman said:

Very nice.

Just found the exact eagle on Worthpoint. BATTLEFIELD EAGLE: Antique Flag Finial, Gilded Bronze, Late Civil War, 1860'sThis is a large and interesting antique Battle Flag Eagle which served as a flag finial. It dates to the late Civil War period, the 1860's, and is gilded bronze. I inherited him from my brother who was an avid collector of military items. As he stands now on his wood column, this Eagle is12 inches tall and 9 5/8 inches wide We grew up in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. My Father worked at Post Office headquarters downtown as an artist and calligrapher. This was long before the age of computers. He designed most of the Civil War Centennial Stamps in the 1960's, which spurred the whole family's interest in the War between the States. We spent many weekends visiting the various battle sites, many of which are surprisingly close to Washington. But of all of us, it was my brother who was most taken with this interesting period of American History. And, over the years, he collected a great deal of Civil War Items. This kind of Eagle is referred to as a "Federal Variation" and is of a type that was made of Gilded Brass or Bronze and was used on company or regimental flagstaffs and guidons. They were also referred to as flag toppers or flag finials. The hole in the beak was used to hang banners relating to battle engagements. This Eagle has an extraordinary amount of detail in his head, feathers and feet and has retained a good amount of his original gilding. The Eagle himself is 7 inches tall and has a wingspan of 10 inches. This is an unusually large Battle Field Eagle. My Brother had tagged it as "General Staff". So, perhaps this Eagle belonged to a General. This Eagle is in very good condition and seems to me to have a good deal spirit and history behind him. The photos give a very good idea of the condition and beauty of this interesting American relic.

[Hazynj]

19 minutes ago, manayunkman said:

Very nice.