Original German WWII Kriegsmarine 100cm x 170cm Old Imperial War Flag Navy Ensign with Maker Tag - Kaiserliche Reichsflagge

Original Item: Only One Available. This is something that we have only had a few times before! This is a totally original Kriegsmarine Navy issue 100cm x 170cm (39.4" x 66.9") Kaiserliche Reichsflagge (Old Imperial War Flag), with the correct EAGLE / M acceptance marking. It is also correctly marked Kaiserl. RKFl. Gr6. 100 / 170 on the header next to the acceptance marking, indicating it is a "Kaiserliche Reichskriegsflagge Große 6", or "Imperial National War Flag Size 6". These flags were flown at the top of the mainmast once a year on the anniversary of the Legendary Battle of Jutland, the 31st of May.

The flag actually still retains the original machine embroidered maker tag on the reverse of the header, which reads as follows:

Württembergische
Cattunmanufaktur
Heidenheim a. Brz.

This is a known maker from the WWII era, located near the border with Bavaria.

The flag itself bears a design identical to the Imperial German WWI Naval War Ensign Battle Flag, which is somewhat interesting as the use of the Imperial German symbols was usually eschewed by the NSDAP leader ship. However the Navy in general was allowed to make their own rules, as with many countries. The design features a large Balkenkreuz (Beam Cross) in the field, with a circle around the Imperial German Eagle at the intersection of the cross. The canton of the flag contains the imperial state colors and the Prussian Eisernes Kreuz (Iron Cross). It feels like it is made from canvas, or possibly a cotton wool blend, and has a canvas header wrapped around a halyard, which terminates in loops on either end.

As indicated on the header, this size flag is an "6", as noted in the Kriegsmarine Flaggenbuch (Navy Flag Book), which would be for a ship 500 to 1500 tons, unfortunately one size too large to be for a U-Boat. Ships in this displacement class would be D-E Torpedo boats, which are 900 tons.

This flag is in very good condition, showing some tiny holes but no tears or other major damage except for some wear through on the corner reinforcement by the header. The colors are very well retained, and this would be a great candidate for framing. The design one of the most attractive issued during both world wars, and would make a fantastic display piece!