The Civil War Flags Message Board

Re: Civil war Flag Poles
In Response To: Civil war Flag Poles ()

Two-piece poles were not common, but I know that at least one was used.

Before I retired I worked for the Missouri State Museum, which holds more than 125 civil war colors—mostly Union—and most with their original poles. One of the poles was made in two pieces. I've forgotten which regiment it was, but the unit was raised in St. Louis early in the war. The flag was a presentation piece, not an official issue. As I recall the pole was divided in the center of the staff. A large screw protruded from the center of one piece and screwed into the wood of the other piece. The joint was covered and reinforced by a brass sheath, perhaps six or eight inches long, that was of a slightly smaller diameter than the upper piece of flag pole. The diameter of the lower piece swelled slightly so that the sheath could be jammed down tightly on it and would stay in place by friction. The flag was originally attached to the pole by cloth ties, which were fastened to two screw eyes on the pole, one below the finial, and one below the joint on the lower pole. At some later date it was recognized that the cloth ties were not secure enough, and the edge of the flag was doubled over into a sheath which slipped over the flag pole and was tacked into place. I presume that made it impossible to unscrew the joint without pulling the tacks from the sheath. As I recall, the pole was a somewhat larger diameter than the usual issue pole.

Hope that helps.

Bill

Messages In This Thread

Civil war Flag Poles
Re: Civil war Flag Poles
Re: Civil war Flag Poles
Re: Civil war Flag Poles
Re: Civil war Flag Poles
Re: Civil war Flag Poles
Re: Civil war Flag Poles
Re: Civil war Flag Poles
Re: Civil war Flag Poles
Re: Civil war Flag Poles