U-Boat flag?

[bbeck]

A few years back I purchased a WW 1 Imperial Flag from a Veteran’s son. The son stated that his father told him this flag was in a museum and was adamant that it belonged to a WW 1 U-boat. Subsequently I bought the flag and not necessarily the story. However, after looking closely at the flag there appears to a museum stamp on the flag towards the edge of the worn side. My question is…. did the WW1 U-boats have specially sized flags? The flag is about 25.75 inches tall and 35inches wide (from what remains). The stamp markings are as follows: “J” or “U” and 2624 or 2842 below that is a faint “U” or “O” followed by the number 20 or 28. Do these markings mean anything? I just want to put this to rest.
Thanks

[bbeck]

markings

marking

[oldflagswanted]

about IKF's ???

...WW 1 Imperial Flag from a Veteran’s son.
...did the WW1 U-boats have specially sized flags?
The flag is about 25.75 inches tall and 35inches wide
...stamp markings are ...“J” or “U” and 2624 or 2842
followed by the number 20 or 28. Do these markings
mean anything? I just want to put this to rest.
Thanks

Hello bb:
IMO, not a WW1 vintage U-B flag based on eagle details
(FR cypher proportions, etc.), eagle's head (mouth & eye),
& ~65x90cm size which is close to known 60x90cm fakes.
See same details on other WAF posted IKF examples, which
you can find via the search function with IKF as a keyword.
....................................................................
.................. OLDFLAGSWANTED ...................
(below) IKF from WAF thread t= 429423, with crown over M marking.

(below) IKF from WAF thread t=401876, again with crown over M marking.

[oldflagswanted]

IKF sizes ???

... did the WW1 U-boats have specially sized flags?

bb:
Usually the U-Boat conning tower pole limits the IKF size.
....................................................................
(below) WW1 IKF from U-53 on special pole, normal shorter
at sea use pole can be seen behind on conning tower rear.

[oldflagswanted]

aft IKF location use ???

bb:
IKF was also flown on sub's stern, as was done in all navies.
....................................................................
(below) WW1 U-Boat IKF shown being flown in aft location.

[Adam S.]

If it's a fake it's well aged. The 60x90 fakes are what they are though.

I wish this forum was fully metric since all the flags are originally measured in metric.

I would love to get my hands on a nice original IKF

[bbeck]

Flag Size

Thanks for the replies. The only thing I can say is that it came from a WW2 veteran. I would find it hard to believe that this is a reproduction. I will remeasure the flag. Are the 65x 90 flags only for u-boats or was it just another size that was used by military?

[oldflagswanted]

more about IKF sizes ???

...Are the 65x 90 flags only for u-boats or was
it just another size that was used by military?

bb:
IMO 65x90 was not an official WW1 IKF flag size. Based
on the previously cited WW1 WAF IKF threads the correct
size was 0.95x1.57m (95x157cm). As the IKF design was
also used after WW1 by veteran organizations, IMO your
~65x90cm is at best from the Weimar era. Likewise, the
IKF design was used during the 3rd Reich on Imperial
Naval Battle commemoration dates, but it was 80x135cm.
OFW

[bbeck]

Flag

Ok Thanks for this information!
Bruce