Is this flag original? Help please...

[TMurray]

Go with your gut feeling. IMO, this is not a period piece, I do not like
1. The rope bunting, the rope hoist ends look of recent manufacture
2. The 'font' for the markings, too 'fat', too 'new'
3. The highly vibrant colour
4. The 'M' waffenamt marking is indistinct, too large

Try a blacklight on this flag, especially where the reinforced stitching appears.

[John Huff]

IMO this is an original flag.

[Robert P.]

Thank you, John.

I'm going to take with me today a black light to give it the 'test.'

Robert

[CurtD]

They sometimes got sloppy with that KM stamp. But, this is about the messiest I have seen.

I too think this flag is original. The fakers have not bothered to get this detailed yet. At only $400, there are much better things to fake (like embroidered banners, etc.).

I am not sure what the rope is made of (maybe hemp -- you could try smoking a piece ), but this rope does appear to have the multi-material look of period rope. Modern rope is usually synthetic and just doesn't look like this.

Any rope experts out there?

Personally, I prefer flags that saw some action, but are still in good condition. This could have been post-war made as a GI souvenir. No way to tell.

[Robert P.]

Curt,

This flag is from the same person who I just bought an early Heer Assault 'wrapper' uniform from. It's in the 'unifrom forum.' His story is that the flag was recoved from France along with the uiniform, before the surrender. I have no reason to doubt the vet, but I feel much safer in KNOWING it's authentic before I eagerly pull from my pants my wallet. I'm going to take along my black light tomorrow, and hide myself in a dark closet for a minute. The white should look flat and without a glow, and the red and black should appear dull themselves. I'm especially going to test the rope and the red layered stitching on the reenforced edges.

What do you think of $275.00 for it, being that it is original?

Robert

[TMurray]

They sometimes got sloppy with that KM stamp. But, this is about the messiest I have seen.

I too think this flag is original. The fakers have not bothered to get this detailed yet. At only $400, there are much better things to fake (like embroidered banners, etc.).

I am not sure what the rope is made of (maybe hemp -- you could try smoking a piece ), but this rope does appear to have the multi-material look of period rope. Modern rope is usually synthetic and just doesn't look like this.

Any rope experts out there?

Personally, I prefer flags that saw some action, but are still in good condition. This could have been post-war made as a GI souvenir. No way to tell.

Now we're talking!! that's the way I like 'em too, little doubt about their authenticity.

[Robert P.]

Now we're talking!! that's the way I like 'em too, little doubt about their authenticity.

OK, so I'll take it to the local target range and put a few holes in it, as it flies the sky for two or three years, the wind whipping and tearing at the seams. Before putting it away I'll drape it over the front seat of the P/U and spill ketsup and coffee all over it, and use it to absorb all the melted snow off my feet. THEN people will believe it's authentic. Should be worth something then.

Havin' fun,
Robert
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[martin guerre]

Now we're talking!! that's the way I like 'em too, little doubt about their authenticity.

OK, so I'll take it to the local target range and put a few holes in it, as it flies the sky for two or three years, the wind whipping and tearing at the seams. Before putting it away I'll drape it over the front seat of the P/U and spill ketsup and coffee all over it, and use it to absorb all the melted snow off my feet. THEN people will believe it's authentic. Should be worth something then.

Havin' fun,
Robert
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Well said Robert .....

[TMurray]

Now we're talking!! that's the way I like 'em too, little doubt about their authenticity.

OK, so I'll take it to the local target range and put a few holes in it, as it flies the sky for two or three years, the wind whipping and tearing at the seams. Before putting it away I'll drape it over the front seat of the P/U and spill ketsup and coffee all over it, and use it to absorb all the melted snow off my feet. THEN people will believe it's authentic. Should be worth something then.

Havin' fun,
Robert
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I'm more than happy for you to part with your money on a piece you think is original. You asked for opinions and I gave you mine, just because it doesnt sit comfortably with you there's no need to act like a child. I personally prefer pieces that were used rather than reproduced

[John Huff]

If you are ever convinced it's fake, I will relieve you of it for $275...

[Robert P.]

I'm more than happy for you to part with your money on a piece you think is original. You asked for opinions and I gave you mine, just because it doesnt sit comfortably with you there's no need to act like a child. I personally prefer pieces that were used rather than reproduced

TMurray,

Just having fun, friend.
Well, I called again today to go and test the flag with my blacklight, and the phone conversation ended with, "I think I'll hang on to it for a while." He didn't like the $275.00-$300.00 offer after buying a self propelled artillery uniform from him last week. I just wanted to test it for my own knowledge. I personally didn't like the blotchy ink stamps, being as messy as they were. So maybe it's a good thing it turned out this way. I was so curious if it was real. Besides, he said it came back with the uniform. Now it's still a mystery, to me anyway.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=174481

Robert

[TMurray]

Robert

No offence taking . There are plenty of other good examples of this type of flag if you shop around abit. I have a HUGE one, probably 6'x15', big enough to cover a Queen size bed (not that I sleep under it) that I paid about $500 maybe $550 for a few years ago. Are you after mint/unissued or reasonable used?

[Robert P.]

I'm after anything German and US at a reasonable cost, and in good to mint condition. I have gone both ways in my years of collecting militaria - mint and worn. I'll have to say this, the worn pieces really do look like old vintage pieces, i.e. nice patina, silver plating worn showing the tombak base metal, etc.. But then again, what a treasue it is to find a mint GAB in the original tissue and box. That's why I say, anything at a reasonable cost.

Robert

[Doug Kenwright]

The blended type of material that this flag is made of tends to become very brittle with age, and will actually 'snap' as opposed to tear after being expose to the elements for any length of time.