Wood and Brass 19th Century French Stamp

Wood turned handle of pommel top with tapering stem with aged crack along its length to a short brass collar and larger integrated brass obverse engraved with blank central ground and circumscription:

PRISON CIVILE VERDUN

The fortified town of Verdun was the scene of many prisoners of war being kept, along with those from non-combatant personnel, for which, presumably, this stamp was intended to be used for their incarceration.