I obtained this SA- Group Westphalia, Reserve Sturm 21 of Standarte 55 flag at an SOS several years ago. It's a nice example of an SA Sturmfahne but with an extra touch, a ring of silver piping around the whilte circle.
I've only seen or heard of a couple of other flags with the additional piping. Neither was an SA flag.
One of the other flags with the extra trim was from the Hillenkoetter & Ronsieck company in Bielefeld, a city in Westphalia. The company was an elevator factory and the flag could have been from an NSBO unit within that company's work force. The other was also from an NSBO group.
It could well be that all came from the same, yet unidentified Westphalian flag manufacturer. There could be a significance to it since there's often a reason for everything in German regalia. For example, Horst Wessel was born in Bielefeld. Perhaps there's a connection. However, the piping may have simply been a deluxe option.
There may also have been some practical intent with the additional reinforcement of the circle. Perhaps the maker felt it gave more prominence to the NS symbol by the support of the piping that would counter the weight of the fringe and make the circle and swastika stand out better. Plus, of course, it would have added expense for the buyer and profit for the maker.
I can easily imagine the salesman's pitch to sell the piping based on either aspect of the "Horst Wessel - Ehrenlitzen" or the "Kreisstuetzungs-Sonderlitzen" for only Reichsmark 5,35.
One way or the other, it's yet another interesting variant.
I've only seen or heard of a couple of other flags with the additional piping. Neither was an SA flag.
One of the other flags with the extra trim was from the Hillenkoetter & Ronsieck company in Bielefeld, a city in Westphalia. The company was an elevator factory and the flag could have been from an NSBO unit within that company's work force. The other was also from an NSBO group.
It could well be that all came from the same, yet unidentified Westphalian flag manufacturer. There could be a significance to it since there's often a reason for everything in German regalia. For example, Horst Wessel was born in Bielefeld. Perhaps there's a connection. However, the piping may have simply been a deluxe option.
There may also have been some practical intent with the additional reinforcement of the circle. Perhaps the maker felt it gave more prominence to the NS symbol by the support of the piping that would counter the weight of the fringe and make the circle and swastika stand out better. Plus, of course, it would have added expense for the buyer and profit for the maker.
I can easily imagine the salesman's pitch to sell the piping based on either aspect of the "Horst Wessel - Ehrenlitzen" or the "Kreisstuetzungs-Sonderlitzen" for only Reichsmark 5,35.
One way or the other, it's yet another interesting variant.
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