Reichsflagge 1919-1927

[Sergeant 08]

Another paramilitary Wehrverband in the Weimarer Republik was the Reichsflagge. Founded in Nürnberg (Bayern) in 1919, c. 20000 members. Later absorbed in the Stahlhelm in 1927.

This is a stick pin for members made by Lauer in Nürnberg.

[Sergeant 08]

I guess that the most collectors have never heard anything about the Reichsflagge, right?

[Brian L.]

I know that Ernst Rohm was a co-founder when he formed the Bavarian wing in 1921. The Reichsflagge has strong links to the Oberlandbund, former members of Freikorps Werdenfels and Freikorps Epp and had a smaller sister organization based in Nuernberg called the Altreichsflagge.

Nice pic.

[Brian L.]

I just picked up this fantastic lithographed Reichsflagge PK on eBay. Really excellent graphics and I should think quite scarce.

[Sergeant 08]

I just picked up this fantastic lithographed Reichsflagge PK on eBay. Really excellent graphics and I should think quite scarce.

This is a nice and surely a rare postcard. Congratulations!

PS: Some years ago I owned this slate-gray cap from Bavaria. Seller wrote it was Freikorps cap. I knew that it was not, but I never found out what it really was. That was the reason why I sold it later. Today I think, it could be a cap from one of the Wehrverbände in Bavaria like Reichsflagge, Wehrverband Bayern und Reich etc.

[Brian L.]

Nice Hat. Too bad you sold it. Uniforms are not one of my specialties. However, I suspect you're right about this. However, I would be more broad in seeing it as Freikorps related, but not Freikorps, in that it could from one of the post-Freikorps spin-offs such as Bayernwacht, as well as any of the other para-military groups, you've mentioned (and others) where the outlawed Freikorps members took refuge from around 1922 onwards.

I'm sure you've often kicked yourself for selling the hat. A little off topic...but, I had a similar situation in 1978 when I acquired a Schutztruppe Bug veterans' trumpet banner at a gun-show for only $45 (cheap, even then).

Because I was new to Freikorps collecting, I allowed myself to get spooked by a know-it-all dealer who said it was fake. So, I ended up selling it, only to find out from Verkuilen Ager (while I was still holding it for the buyer) that not only was it real but was 1 of only 2 that were known to exist. He owned the other one. But, it was too late and I had to let it go.

I've recently discovered pics of both of these trumpet banners on the Internet. The one that belonged to Verkuilen was sold for $800. Mine was in slightly better condition than Verkuilen's and had slightly different sized lettering.

Here are pics of both.

Mine - top.
Verkuilen's - bottom.

[Sergeant 08]

Nice Hat. Too bad you sold it...... I'm sure you've often kicked yourself for selling the hat.

Yes, a big mistake. But I think every collector knows, such things can happen. I have never seen such a cap again. Similar caps yes, but not the same.

Here is my paramilitary cap from the left wing, Roter Frontkämpferbund (RFB). I guess 1924/26, RFB membership badge first pattern, inofficial worn on the cap band a KPD badge. The cap is very similar made like the slate-grey cap (material, leather inside etc.).

[Sergeant 08]

This helmet was posted in another forum some months ago.

Opinions?

[Brian L.]

Interesting. It does seem a little too new looking. Nothing is past the realm of possibility. So, it could be fake.

On the other hand, why would anyone fake such an obscur item to such an obscur group?

[Sergeant 08]

On the other hand, why would anyone fake such an obscur item to such an obscur group?

I remember the owner had no clue, what he had found.

It was not unusual that Freikorps and members of other organizations created their own helmet design later.

[Sergeant 08]

Some examples....

Epp.

[Sergeant 08]

Wehrwolf

[Sergeant 08]

Bund Oberland.