Found the item with the eagle, shield and partial star today. The round part at the bottom has a hole for attachment. Is this a military finial? Rang up solid 18 on equinox. I believe its brass.
Thank you! I forgot to mention the "hole" in the bottom is actually square and looking at the photo in your link, it does look attached by that square rod!
That's a sweet plume holder! I like the fact it has the eagle and the star on it. Here is one I found a while back. Doesn't have any patriotic symbolism.