Brass eagle

Discussion in 'Metalware' started by Sever603, Feb 11, 2016.

  1. Sever603

    Sever603 New Member

    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!

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    KingofThings and desperate_fun like this.
  2. Sever603

    Sever603 New Member

    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!
     
    KingofThings likes this.
  3. springfld.arsenal

    springfld.arsenal Store: http://www.springfieldarsenal.net/

    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.
     
    KingofThings and Sever603 like this.
  4. Sever603

    Sever603 New Member

    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.
     
  5. Hollyblue

    Hollyblue Well-Known Member

    Looks like a flag pole finial.
     
  6. Sever603

    Sever603 New Member

    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.
     
    KingofThings likes this.
  7. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    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.
     
    KingofThings and komokwa like this.
  8. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    [​IMG]


    Vintage Brass Eagle Flag Pole Topper Finial
    [​IMG]
    PutFamilyFirst
    4 out of 5 stars.


    Found one no longer listed on etsy
     
    KingofThings and Bakersgma like this.
  9. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    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.
     
    KingofThings and Sever603 like this.
  10. Sever603

    Sever603 New Member

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

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

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

    Bev aka thelmasstuff Colored pencil artist extraordinaire ;)

    Military flagpoles often have guidons and streamers. I'm thinking this eagle flagpole topper has those projections to tie the guidons onto.
     
    Bakersgma and KingofThings like this.
  13. Bev aka thelmasstuff

    Bev aka thelmasstuff Colored pencil artist extraordinaire ;)

    streamers2.jpg This one is a little overloaded, but you get the idea.
     
    Bakersgma and KingofThings like this.
  14. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

    Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....................
    I'm not finding any toppers for flagpoles with such attachments.
    This is a conundrum...
     
    Sever603 likes this.
  15. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    Thanks, Bev! I was thinking of those "streamer" kind of things when I first posted but couldn't capture the name!
     
    KingofThings likes this.
  16. Sever603

    Sever603 New Member

    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.
     
    KingofThings likes this.
  17. verybrad

    verybrad Well-Known Member

  18. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

    I'm thinking that what we may see as 'pegs' or a way to attach guidon streamers, could be a scroll.
     
    Sever603 likes this.
  19. Sever603

    Sever603 New Member

    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!
     
Similar Threads: Brass eagle
Forum Title Date
Metalware Bronze Vase and Brass/Bronze Eagle Dec 30, 2023
Metalware What's with these brass eagles?? Jan 15, 2018
Metalware What is the function of this metal bunny with brass insert? Monday at 3:44 PM
Metalware Decorative brass heads, help please Dec 5, 2025
Metalware Brass Nautical table or countertop bell ID and age help. Nov 5, 2025

Share This Page