SkipperJohn
Well-known member
I have had this flag for many years and have never been able to fully explain what it is. It is a Type 1 Reichskriegsflagge that is hand sewn, hand drawn, and poorly put together:
It is either a type 1 or a type 2 flag since the circle around the Preußischer Adler is not fully closed. The white stripes on a type 1 and a type 2 were open to the center circle:
Type 1: 1867 - 1892
Type 2: 1892 - 1903
Type 3: 1903 - 1918
I believe that it is a type 1 because the Adler most closely matches.
The flag is made of linen and is hand sewn. The stitches are large and often do not follow a straight line. The lines forming the cross are not equal thickness. The Preußischer Adler is hand drawn and looks like it could have been made by a child in school:
The edges of the flag are poorly finished:
This flag has passed the black light test (nothing glows at all) and it has passed the "thread burn" test. It appears that the cloth is quite old.
I do not know whether this is a field expedient, trench art, or something a child made during the war. It could also be complete Junk. I liked it the moment I saw it and the price was right, so I used it for display. It obviously took someone a long time to make. I have never seen one like it before, or since. I have talked to other collectors and nobody can really identify what it is. There does seem to be agreement that it is old. This flag measures 55.88 cm X 81.28 cm (22 X 32 inches).
I use it as a display piece:
Has anybody ever seen one of these? Can anyone venture a guess as to what exactly it is?
Any additional information is appreciated.
John
It is either a type 1 or a type 2 flag since the circle around the Preußischer Adler is not fully closed. The white stripes on a type 1 and a type 2 were open to the center circle:
Type 1: 1867 - 1892
Type 2: 1892 - 1903
Type 3: 1903 - 1918
I believe that it is a type 1 because the Adler most closely matches.
The flag is made of linen and is hand sewn. The stitches are large and often do not follow a straight line. The lines forming the cross are not equal thickness. The Preußischer Adler is hand drawn and looks like it could have been made by a child in school:
The edges of the flag are poorly finished:
This flag has passed the black light test (nothing glows at all) and it has passed the "thread burn" test. It appears that the cloth is quite old.
I do not know whether this is a field expedient, trench art, or something a child made during the war. It could also be complete Junk. I liked it the moment I saw it and the price was right, so I used it for display. It obviously took someone a long time to make. I have never seen one like it before, or since. I have talked to other collectors and nobody can really identify what it is. There does seem to be agreement that it is old. This flag measures 55.88 cm X 81.28 cm (22 X 32 inches).
I use it as a display piece:
Has anybody ever seen one of these? Can anyone venture a guess as to what exactly it is?
Any additional information is appreciated.
John
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