Swastika Sewing Techniques

[Don]

Hello! I have an early German banner with the "arms" (?) on the swastika individually sewn. I am guessing very early 30's. What year did the printed version start?

[Rakkasan187]

Don

 

Both Printed (silk screening) and embroidered versions of the NSDAP flag as well as other Third Reich flags existed in the earliest days of the Third Reich. Most of the multipiece flags in which the swastika arms were made of multiple pieces of folded cloth were sewn by master craftsmen and the material was silk and other fabrics. The printed flags were quicker to manufacture and are more commonly found. The embroidered flags of the period if not damaged and fraying will be more valuable in some cases due to the craftsmanship and bullion materials used on them. 

 

Some of the flag manufacturers of the Reich Period also switched from embroidered to printing when materials were harder to obtain. 

 

There are some good flag reference books although they are dated but since no new flag books have been written in a number of years, these books still hold a wealth of information as well as period photos showing some of the flags being made. 

 

Flags and Banners of the Third Reich by A.S. Walker, circa 1973

 

Flags of the Third Reich by Brian L. Davis, Illustrated by Malcolm McGregor, circa 2000

 

Flags and Standards of the Third Reich, Army, Navy and Air Force by Brian L Davis, circa 1975

 

These books as well as many of the Third Reich period magazines such as "Die Wehrmacht"   have some great articles written about the items of war being made and manufactured, one article about flags being made was in such magazine.

 

Leigh 

 

 

 

[Don]

Thanks for the information Leigh! I have over 20 flags, banners and pendants in various sizes. I also have a small rectangular pendant that has the arms individually sewn. The larger banner that I have shown is my favorite just because the arms are individually sewn. It is faded, small holes and some spots of red drip marks...blood? Who knows...

[Rakkasan187]

Don,

 

You're welcome, I too have numerous Third Reich era flags, banners and wimples (Pennants). The manufacturing techniques varied by manufacturer as well as the quality of the flags depending on their intended use. Outdoor use flags tended to be made of more durable cotton and wool type materials and in most cases (but not all) these flags were printed (silk screening and other forms). Most of the embroidered (again many but not all) were for use indoors at Headquarters and Party Offices and the quality of the material again varied from silk and other higher quality fabrics which would not have been exposed to the harsh elements outdoors. 

 

Unit Colors and flags were a combination of the cotton and wool as well as silk and wire embroidered bullion insignia. 

 

One of my mentors on flags was the late Ben K. Weed. His collection of flags as well as his knowledge of the flags was absolutely amazing. He had a great topic on the Wehrmacht Awards Forum titled "Who Made the Flags?" Over 30 pages of information on various makers and he also went deep into the many reproduction flags out there and what to look for. Some are quite obvious while other reproductions and fakes are quite convincing. 

 

Best regards

 

Leigh 

[Don]

Thanks again Leigh. Happy New Year!