| Maxshadow | 30 Apr 2016 8:29 p.m. PST |
I have a figure with an Eagle on top of the flag pole. Is there any significance to this? |
| SamNaz | 30 Apr 2016 9:56 p.m. PST |
Might be Old Abe, mascot of one of the Iron Brigade Regiments in the ACW |
TKindred  | 01 May 2016 3:11 a.m. PST |
8th Wisconsin Infantry. The mascot was named "Old Ae"and survived the war. Neat story. link link |
| Maxshadow | 01 May 2016 4:04 a.m. PST |
Thanks very much you two. It looked so much like a Roman Standard I painted it bronze! Never thought it was a real bird. Well looks like I will be painting the 8th Wisconsin. |
| cwbuff | 01 May 2016 7:28 a.m. PST |
8th WI not part of Iron Brigade. |
| Trajanus | 01 May 2016 8:29 a.m. PST |
Should point out the the 8th Wisconsin only fought in the Western theatre, if that matters to Maxshadow. An interesting item is that Old Abe was the inspiration for the 101st Airborne's badge, as the original 101st Division came from Wisconsin. |
 McLaddie | 01 May 2016 8:44 a.m. PST |
Some flag pole tops had spear blades, some eagles some other decorations. [If the top of the flag pole is what we are talking about. No significance beyond decoration. Old Abe had his own perch rather than trying to stay on atop flag pole.  |
| donlowry | 01 May 2016 9:03 a.m. PST |
I think he means the bronze eagle at the top of the flag staff. It represents the American republic. |
| TKindred | 01 May 2016 10:16 a.m. PST |
If it's the small eagle on the top of the staff, then that is bronze or brass, and highly polished.Sometimes it was gilded, if the regiment wanted to spring for the costs. It was a rule of thumb that the staff with the national colors had an eagle, while the regimental or state colors had a spear point, halberd, or some such device upon it. |
| jowady | 01 May 2016 11:46 a.m. PST |
IIRC Dixon makes an "Old Abe" figure for their 8th Wisconsin. Old Abe was carried near the Colors but not on them. As has been said if it's a small figure on the very top of the flag staff then it is a decoration and should be either brass of gold. You can read more about and see a photo of "Old Abe" here; m.army.mil/article/91178 |
| Ryan T | 01 May 2016 1:39 p.m. PST |
The 8th Wisconsin carried both National and Regimental colours supplied by the state of Wisconsin instead of by the Federal government. Both flags were made by the Chicago firm of Gilbert Hubbard & Co. In July of 1864 the flags were replaced with a new issue of Hubbard flags again supplied by the state. This issue included a Wisconsin state flag. The flags of the 8th Wisconsin can be seen here: link |
| Maxshadow | 02 May 2016 4:17 a.m. PST |
Those flags are an amazing sight. |
couldn't say 'no' to this opportunity!
