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What is the ball on top of a flagpole called?

Question #98602. Asked by jsweit.
Last updated Sep 08 2016.

Senior Moments
Answer has 15 votes
Currently Best Answer
Senior Moments

Answer has 15 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
"Finial Ball"

On top of a flag pole is the flagpole truck and finial. A flagpole truck is a set of bearings that swings around with the flag and keeps it from wraping around the pole and the finial, which is normally a ball, sits on top.

On most flagpoles it is imaginatively called a ball. Flagpoles with trucks are usually used by the military. Finial is a general term for an ornamental terminating part.
A finial is an element marking the top or end of some object, often formed to be a decorative feature. In architecture it is a decorative device, typically carved in stone, employed decoratively to emphasize the apex of a dome, spire, tower, roof, or gable or any of various distinctive ornaments at the top, end, or corner of a building or structure.

link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finial#Flagpoles

Response last updated by Terry on Sep 08 2016.
May 26 2003, 9:55 PM
deltajojo
Answer has 4 votes
deltajojo

Answer has 4 votes.
finial ball

A "ball-style" finial is commonly mounted to the top of a stationary flagpole. This is sometimes (mistakenly) called a "truck", which is the mechanism that connects the finial to the pole.

link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finial#Flagpoles

Response last updated by Terry on Sep 08 2016.
Jul 01 2004, 1:17 PM
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zbeckabee star
Answer has 5 votes
zbeckabee star
Moderator
18 year member
11752 replies avatar

Answer has 5 votes.

Aug 15 2008, 5:51 PM
Sevorak
Answer has 7 votes
Sevorak

Answer has 7 votes.
zbeckbee seems to be right, according to what I've read. I think you're looking for "truck," is the mechanism that connects the finial to the pole and may have the pulleys attached.

"A "ball-style" finial is commonly mounted to the top of a stationary flagpole. This is sometimes (mistakenly) called a "truck", which is the mechanism that connects the finial to the pole. An urban legend says the ball contains a razor, lighter, and flare. According to the legend, the items were meant to be used to destroy the flag in case the post was overrun by the enemy. A related and less pleasant version says the finial should have a bullet, knife, and matches so the last surviving soldier can continue fighting (with the knife), and if need be destroy the flag with matches (to prevent it from being captured), and take his own life with the bullet."

link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finial

Aug 15 2008, 6:23 PM
avatar
Zbeckabee star
Answer has 5 votes
Zbeckabee star
Moderator
18 year member
11752 replies avatar

Answer has 5 votes.
star_gazer replies: Finial ball


Response last updated by Terry on Sep 08 2016.
Oct 01 2009, 3:29 PM
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