Mid-19th Century Halberd Style Cast Brass Flagpole Finial

Mid-19^th Century Halberd Style Cast Brass Flagpole Finial – This heavy, solid cast brass flag finial appears to date from the pre-Civil War era to the early Indian War period. These halberd style finials were used on the ships of flag officers and for ships that carried civil officials who were entitled to a salute of 11, but not more than 17 guns. This type of flag ornament was utilized by the U.S. Navy as early as 1853; Japanese paintings depict a halberd style flag finial on the staff of Commodore Matthew C. Perry’s broad pennant when Perry, on July 8, 1853, led his four ships into the harbor at Tokyo Bay, seeking to re-establish, for the first time in over 200 years, regular trade and discourse between Japan and the western world. The pennant, with the halberd finial, appeared in processions during his expeditions in Japan. The cylindrical bottom section of the finial, used for the insertion of the wooden flag staff, still retains a broken section of the original wooden staff; there are two opposing holes on this section with a pin used to affix the staff within the cylindrical staff holder. Above the cylindrical staff holding section is a raised circular, circumferential projection – in this projection are two adjacent holes, presumably for the passage of hoist ropes. The finial remains in overall very good condition, exhibiting a dark, mellow patina; the upper section of the finial is very slightly bent.

Measurements: Ht. – 13.25”; W (ax section) – 4.25”; Staff hole opening – approx. 1”; Wt. – 4-5 lbs.