Broad Arrow

Broad Arrow, a government mark, thus, stamped, cut, or otherwise fixed on all solid materials used in Her Majesty's ships or dockyards, and on government stores of all kinds, in order to prevent larceny. The origin of the mark is obscure; Walford (History of Newcastle, vol. iii. 1884) says it was used in 1598 by the collector of customs in Newcastle as a mark for goods seized. The acquittal of a dealer in marine stores prosecuted for having in his possession certain stores bearing the broad arrow of his majesty, led to the passing of the Act of 1698, which enacts that persons in possession of naval stores, or goods of any kind marked with the broad arrow, or other marks therein mentioned, and usually employed in marking naval stores, shall forfeit all such goods and £200, and also pay costs. The mark is for iron, wood, &c., what the colour-thread is for sail-cloth and ropes, as it enables the smallest piece of such articles to be identified as government property.