Broad Arrow

a device not unlike the broad-winged point of an arrow. Since about 1700 it has been stamped or stenciled on the public goods, especially military stores, of Great Britain. It is a felony to remove the mark from government stores, and an offense against the law to be found in possession of property marked or branded with the broad arrow. It may be remembered that during the late war between Japan and Russia, Great Britain denied the right of Russia to search ships to detain military supplies marked with the broad arrow, or to question their destination. The corresponding brand in this country is U. S. A.