Spear head /finial -- myArmoury.com

Paul Hafield · Posted: Sat 03 Dec, 2016 10:47 am Post subject: Spear head /finial

Hello Guys .I have a what mabe a ceremonial spear head or a pole finial which I acquired from France and basicely know nothing about any info would be welcome ie what is it ,is it authentic and what the letters on the brass discs represent ,Regards Paul.

Sean Flynt · myArmoury Team

Welcome! You have some variety of military spontoon (French: esponton). We have a related thread that will give you a good idea of the basics: http://myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?p=316494#316494

Yours is special because it has the fancy brass plaques. These are often 18th c., but something about yours suggests the Napoleonic era to me, and I wonder if maybe it's some kind of guard's spontoon or leading staff of the late 18th or early 19th c.

You can see plain spontoons (no cross bar or barbs) in French illustrations of ca. 1740.

Here's an example at auction that appears to be in the same family as yours: http://www.cornettedesaintcyr.fr/html/fiche.j...f=1&r=

That one might even have some brass on it, but it's hard to tell.

In any case, all the spontoon information in the other thread should apply, with the additional mystery of those brass discs.

David Lewis Smith · Posted: Tue 06 Dec, 2016 12:14 pm Post subject:

Just a guess but I think this was probably used on a guidon

Sean Flynt · myArmoury Team

I think that's a very convincing hypothesis. The slot could accept a stiffening bar for the top of the guidon, held in place by pins through those holes. That would also help attach battle honors.

Glen A Cleeton · Posted: Wed 07 Dec, 2016 3:49 pm Post subject:

The socket diameter is quite large to have been a guidon pole topper, or even a military spontoon. Add that the socket appear to be made of steel sheet. I wouldn't rule out a processional flag topper but it is hardly military and certainly not that old.

Paul Hafield · Posted: Thu 08 Dec, 2016 9:42 am Post subject: Finial

Hello guys ,Thank you for taking the time to have a look at this ,the person I got it off was unsure to what it was he mentioned that the ND could have something to do with Notre Dame due to it coming from France and ma be have a religious connection just a theory .Possibly off a staff of some sort , with the brass discs it could be a ceremonial piece , it is quite hefty weighing 1207g.Thanks again Paul.

Anthony Hart · Posted: Sun 11 Dec, 2016 1:17 am Post subject:

Maybe designed to be mounted on a pole from a building or fence post? The lettering having some connection with the owners or use?