Brass eagle

Hello everyone, I am new to the forum and happy to be here. When I was a child, 8 or so, I unearthed what I believe to be a brass eagle figure, that looks as though it may have possibly been attached to a bell, it has an iron post which is fairly corroded, but the casting on the eagle looks to be in good shape. I was told that there had been a mill that had burned in the spot which I found it. The mill would have been located near the center of spofford, NH, but I never was able to confirm whether a mill had in fact existed there. I would love to get your opinions on its age, or any other information anyone could offer, thanks for looking!

 

I should add that the only time I had it looked at was at a local antique shop, they didn't have much information on it, but the owner offered me $50 dollars on the spot, which made me want to keep it that much more!

 

Something was pivoted on the trapeze bar he's standing on. Even though the position of Mr. Eagle would be a bit awkward, I'm guessing he was a door knocker. Rusty thing was the bolt that held it onto the door. Swinging knocker-thingy is missing. Go back there with a metal detector and you may find it.

 

Interesting, I hadn't thought of that! It would be interesting to go back there, I remember there was a lot of old bottles, also a lot of what I thought was coal buried around the area. There may be other interesting items yet to be found.

 

Looks like a flag pole finial.

 

Interesting, I had thought of that, but thought because of its small size that it may not be. I would be interested to find out what vintage it is, it seems old, but I'm not sure how old. I'm wondering if there is an evolution of the Eagles appearance through time that might point to a rough date.

 

You haven't mentioned size, but it sure looks like the kind of eagle atop the flag poles in a school or church hall - inside of course.

 

Vintage Brass Eagle Flag Pole Topper Finial

PutFamilyFirst
4 out of 5 stars.


Found one no longer listed on etsy

 

I agree. Sounds like something that'd sit on top of a flag-pole.

It's an eagle made of brass...It's a brass eagle...

THE BREAGLE HAS LANDED!!

No seriously...that's freakin' cool that you have it. It looks bloody awesome! You should do something with it.

 

That really does look similar, although the casting doesn't look quite as crisp. Good find!

 

I thought this too Bakers but as someone said, those rings at the 'perch' ends beg to have something turn on them.

 

Military flagpoles often have guidons and streamers. I'm thinking this eagle flagpole topper has those projections to tie the guidons onto.

 

This one is a little overloaded, but you get the idea.

 

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....................
I'm not finding any toppers for flagpoles with such attachments.
This is a conundrum...

 

Thanks, Bev! I was thinking of those "streamer" kind of things when I first posted but couldn't capture the name!

 

I think in order for it to operate as a door knocker, there would have had to have been a separate bracket or piece holding the eagle, otherwise the tail would have hit the door, it's certainly possible though. I think the thing I'm most curious about is the age, the town itself was incorporated in 1765, but there is very little historical information, I am assuming because it's a very small unincorporated village. I sent an email to the local historical society, hopefully they will be able to give some additional info.

 

I am finding several of these. All say flagpole topper.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Bra...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

http://www.thebrassknob.com/catalog/brass-eagle-flag-pole-finial/

http://www.antiquesnavigator.com/d-...le-topper-or-finial575-acrosswas-painted.html

 

I'm thinking that what we may see as 'pegs' or a way to attach guidon streamers, could be a scroll.

 

Those definitely look very similar to the one I have, if not identical. Shame none of them note the period which they might have been made. Great finds though!