WWII 48 stars US flag

48 stars US flag. In service from 1912 to 1959

The story

Some time ago I bought this 48 stars US flag. The flag itself is in mint condition still with the paper tag attached to the header. This flag design was in service during World War 1 and World War 2 and therefore is the design (48 starts) you see in picture from both world wars, including the famous "Raising the flag on Iwo Jima" photo by Joe Rosenthal.

Throughout the years the construction of the flag has changed from using wool to linen to polyester. Also the stars were either sewn, embroider or printed. Unlike the German flags during WWII it is very difficult to put an exact year of construction if you don't have the story with the flag as it was used in several years. The same goes with Soviet flag. Rule of thumb is if the stars are sewn and the bunting is wool or linen you might have a flag from the 1940's, so before, under or after World War 2. There was two major flags makers back then, Defiance/Annin and Bulldog Bunting. This flag in particular is Defiance linen flag with a size of 4 by 6 feet's (approx. 1,2 x 1,8 meters), also known as a "casket flag" and it has been estimated by an professional flag dealer to be made in 1942 or 1943 based on the design and steel grommets. Before the war the flags were primally made of wool but due to the war effort the bunting changed to linen and cotton as the wool was reserved for uniforms.

As this flag is in mint condition directly from the store self it doesn't have a story to tell other than it made just when the US entered the war or just after that. I also have a Bulldog Bunting that has a story and it is pretty similar to this one besides being a little more sun bleached and "old" looking.

A really cool flag indeed :)

Images of the flag

Americans would shoot me on site. I always roll my flags, sorry :)


Maker label along with size


Paper tag is still present.


Stars are sewn. You may also see printed stars on WWII era flags

Something written. But why and what?


Linen fabric


Metal grommet that dates the flag to be a true WWII according to expert

Nice and aligned.


End stitching


Horizontal view of the flag

Final thoughts

Nothing really to say about the flag. I'm just excited is a WWII flag. This my other mint flag besides the 100x170 KM flag

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