Inglefield clip

The edges of this split are chamfered, so that the clips can be engaged or disengaged, but only if they are carefully aligned by hand.

They can be made of any durable material; commonly brass, bronze, stainless steel or plastic.

In the Royal Navy a flag or ensign normally has both types of clip, one at each end of the heading.

Some flags have the top clip sewn directly onto the heading rather than a rope running through it.

Lieutenant Edward Fitzmaurice Inglefield[Note 1] invented these clips for attaching signalling flags whilst serving in HMS Melita in the early 1890s.