German imperial battle flag


Imperial German Battle flag, World War 1 Reichskriegsflagge (pre wwii for this one)

I bought this gorgeous wool bunting German battle flag from a friend of mine. This type of flag in service before, during and after WWI until the "Weimar Republic" was created after the German defeat in World War 1.

My flag is not from WWI but from the 1920-30's (pre WW2). The details on the eagle, scepter and orb is less detailed than what you would normally expect for a genuine WWI flag. Also the iron cross is wider than on a ww1 flag.

From study, most of these flag was made and used to celebrate and honor the veterans and WW1 naval battle commemoration days, like the Battle of Jutland etc. It still smells of wool and has this coarse texture to the fabric. A great test is to ask yourself, do you want to sleep with it? If yes then its soft cotton like, if no then its wool and VERY itchy haha :D There is no rope on the flag but old markings after tacks, maybe because it was attached to a pole when is was used for the marches.

What reveals the flag is from late 1920's to early 1930's, besides the "missing" details, is the "railroad" stitching on the hoist end. This was typically seen on "celebration" flags after wwi but pre wwii. Even though its not "true" WWI I'm still very happy of the flag as it is still a sought after flag and can be very expensive. Never the less it is a good investment and just to have one in your collection is a must have imo :)

Please be aware of moderns replicas of this type of flag. "OldFlagWanted" (may you rest in peace) made some interesting posts on the WAF forum regarding modern interpretations of the flag, https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/filedata/fetch?id=10256529

As you can see the rope is missing and there is no rope inside the header. So the flag was "born" without it

Overall flag


The eagle. Feathers are less detailed than on a wwi flag.


The beek and crown is also less detailed than wwi

So is the scepter. Normally you will see jewellery on the top of it.

So is the orb.


Notice the rusty markings on the header after the pen's


The iron cross is a lot "fatter"/wider then genuine WWI flags


"railroad" header is also typical WWII flags. I have never seen a railroad header on WWI flags, but I might be wrong. I have many WWII flags with


Stitching in the corner

The wool bunting. Also it feels more robust than wwi which typically is very thin and fragile.

That was it for the German Imperial almost WWI battle flag ;) Drop a comment, especially if you want to sell a WWI flag :P

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