Finally solve Paul's 'Alien with an American shoulder piece' (7)
I believe the answer is:
epaulet
'an american shoulder piece' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'finally solve paul's alien' is the wordplay.
'finally' says to take the final letters.
'alien' becomes 'et' (extra terrestrial).
The last letter of 'solve' is 'e'.
'e'+'paul'+'et'='EPAULET'
'with' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for epaulet that I've seen before include "Uniform shoulder-piece" , "symbol of American rank" , "Shoulder ornament" , "Ornamental pad on the shoulder" , "military decoration" .)