went strikin this morning and found this.........

[mtdoramike]

don't know what it is, but I'll hold onto it.

 

[Bill Ladd]

But I'm sure it was a sweet soundin' signal!

 

[Bugar In. USA]

Wooden ruler or yardstick laying beside a pointy thing

 

[wingtip]

A substantial difference between a flag pole and a guidon (pronounced gee-don) pole, is that a flag pole is stationary while a guidon pole is portable. In military terms, a guidon pole is 8 to 9 feet long and meant to carry a guidon (a lightweight flag measuring 25 by 27 inches), either on horseback, or hand carried by a foot soldier assisted with a harness. The piece you found is the end off of such a pole. It's kind of hard to date it, as these poles have been used in the US from before the Civil War, right up to today. Also, it doesn't have to be military as the ROTC, VFW, American Legion, and Boy Scouts use guidons, and many high schools have flag bearers and flag teams. With the patina on the copper, it isn't real new, but by the lack of pitting on the head of the retaining screw, it isn't real old either. If I were a betting man I'd say post WWII, say about 1950. If you would like to see a picture of such an end, click the link listed below.

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/epicflags/ofgupo8wisis.html


I hope this info helps.

Al

 

[mtdoramike]

which adds up perfectly because where I found it was near where an old boy scout building used to stand, but was torn down a few years ago.