>Main trouble is though, I've just realised: MapInfo also uses symbols in a font file to label the objects on a map, and ships with several of these specialised characters. I can't yet figure how I'm going to get these. Probably using GetFont(), I guess.

Never worked with MapInfo, but for displaying special characters (like arrows, daggers, bullets and other weaponry) I'd usually have a label or a commandbutton, set its .fontname=Marlett or Wingdings or any other symbol font that has the appropriate arsenal, and type the characters one by one into its .caption, until it displayed what I wanted.