Bronze Imperial Eagle - What is it?

[Hussar]

Hello,
This is my first post to your forum. I have collected Imp. Russian antiques, especially militaria for over 35 years. When I was in my late teens objects were more available than today, but I was limited in funds. Today I am an old fart who can afford a great deal more, but the prices have sky rocketed for the real good items to be once again out of my abilities. That being said, I have through the years accumulated a decent collection of assorted items. Now my question. Some 30 years ago I obtained this bronze russian imperial eagle. It has a wingspan of 14.5 cm, a height of 9 cm and a length from front to back of 13.5 cm. It does not come from a helmet this is certain. On the back there is a large hole for a screw, and to me the thing looks like it was made to fit on a staff or pole like mount. The person I obtained this from was an extremely knowledgable individual in antiques and neither he nor I have ever been able to definitively identify it's purpose. Would anyone here care to take a guess as to what it is for? Photo link is provided below.

Thank you in advance
John


http://s772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/jsokal/Imperial%20Russian%20Antiques/?action=view&current=IMG_2393.jpg

http://s772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/jsokal/Imperial%20Russian%20Antiques/?action=view&current=IMG_2394.jpg

http://s772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/jsokal/Imperial%20Russian%20Antiques/?action=view&current=IMG_2397.jpg

http://s772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/jsokal/Imperial%20Russian%20Antiques/?action=view&current=IMG_2395.jpg

http://s772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/jsokal/Imperial%20Russian%20Antiques/?action=view&current=IMG_2398.jpg

[Constantinople]

This is just  a guess but I would say it is the top of a standard pole for a regiment.  I don't know which regiment.

[Hussar]

Constantinople,
This is what I believe as well. I would love to find out where it was used. It might be military as you suggest,... it would be great if someone out there could confirm this or not. there must be another one out there somewhere.

John

[Constantinople]

I would suggest getting in contact with a Russian military museum.  It might be standard issue and not related to a specific issue.

[Constantinople]

I would suggest contacting one of the better universities that have Russian history departments and submitting photos.  Yale, Oxford and Stanford all have Russian history departments.

[David Pritchard]

If it were larger, I would say that it was broken off a top of an iron fence post, specifically the decorative fence (cast iron with bronze eagles on wreaths) along the Moika Canal Embankment which separates the Mikhailovsky Zamok and the Summer Garden right at the bridge over the Fontanka Canal to ulitsa Pestelya. There are other places where this type of Imperial Eagle finial may be seen such as on the lamp posts along the the larger bridge entrance to the SS. Peter & Paul Fortress.