Diamon-shaped Flag / Pennant holder

[bredlo]

Hi there,

'22 OTCA - I've got this great little flag holder in good shape, but no idea what to stick in it.

I did a search on these forums, and saw the thread with the scan from the old catalog page of the long brass flag pole with a little eagle atop it. But any idea what was flown on it?

The old Chris Crafts had their own triangular pennant -- did Old Town have something similar? Or was this strictly used for little American flags? I'd love to see a picture of a restored one so that I could make my own.

Brad

 

[Michael Grace]

Brad,

Here is one type of socket and staff. This one was I had close at hand; if I can get to some others, I'll get photos of them as well. This type has a 1/4" diameter rod with kerf in base. It fits into the small internal hole in the diamond-shaped holder, which has a narrow stop rod at the base of its cylinder. When the staff is mated, is is well-seated and will not rotate.

 

[bredlo]

Fantastic, Michael! Thanks so much for taking the time to scan and post.

I'll have to keep an eye out on eBay for one of those, or something similar that could be retrofitted to work. Very cool, indeed.

 

[Benson Gray]

It is speculated that the bottom of the Charles River, Belle Isle, and other popular paddling areas in the 1920s are probably covered with these old flag poles since they usually sank whenever a canoe was capsized. Some other flag pole designs were brass rods with a simple ball on top and wooden poles with a metal pin on the bottom were also used.

Most indications are that American flags were typically flown as shown below and at http://www.wcha.org/catalogs/old-town/designs/ud-25-ic/ from the 1925 catalog. (Be sure to also get a gramophone, pillows, carbide light, parasol, and other accessories for a complete restoration of a fully equipped canoe from the 1920s.) There is one example at http://www.wcha.org/catalogs/old-town/postcard/arrow.gif of a non-American flag in use. Old Town did have a red triangular pennant as shown at http://www.wcha.org/catalogs/old-town/covers/large-65.gif but these did not appear until the 1960s and only on motor boats.

Good luck with the rest of your restoration.

Benson

 

[bredlo]

Wonderful - I'll just head for Boston and find a scuba shop!

I happen to have a Victrola as well but between that, the search light and the hood ornament, we may be looking at the original ancestors of modern "white trash".

Think I'll just stick with my cute wife - she's the only accessory I need.