Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice very upmarket example of a German WWII Sturmabteilung (Storm Division) Political "Storm Flag" or Banner (Sturmfahne). It measures 48" x 53", and has lovely bullion fringes on three sides of the flag. Normally there would be hanger rings or loops installed on the side without fringes, however these has been removed, though the very ends remain. This flag looks to have been cut off the pole, most likely by the USGI who brought it back.

As indicated by the black heavily embroidered rectangle in the upper left canton, this is the flag of the 4th company of SA from Godesberg-Nord, a district in the Bad Godesberg district of the city of Bonn.

The identity of the unit to which a "storm flag" belonged was determined by the rectangular patch that was sewn to the upper left canton. This patch bore the unit designation (often a combination of numbers or emblems) embroidered on to a backing color that represented the Group. This patch was an enlarged version of the collar patch worn by that SA unit on the right side of their uniform collars. As a further note of interest, where SA units were raised, they emulated the old regimental numbering system used by the pre-1918 Imperial German Army, adopting the number of the former regiment if that SA regiment was raised in the same old garrison location.

This example only has one patch, indicating that the unit did not have any prior designations, which would also be attached to the flag under the current designation. Condition wise, this flag is in really nice shape. There is the expected age toning and water staining on the white background of the Swas (hook cross), but the fabric is fully intact on the background and cross. There are a few moth nips on the red wool background, but nothing major. The bullion fringe is in very good condition, with a nice patina of age.

A hard to find "Storm Flag", named to a specific SA unit. Ready to display!

The SA, "Sturmabteilung" (Storm-troops), were originally formed in August of 1921 as a protective guard unit for the political leaders of the fledgling NSDAP Party. As with the NSDAP, "Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei" (National-socialist German Worker’s-party), the SA was structured along para-military lines. Most of its recruits were from the ranks of the various "Freikorps" groups of the day, composed mainly of disgruntled ex-soldiers, and they were first utilized at a NSDAP party meeting in Munich in November of 1921.

The SA pattern box buckle was the first belt buckle to be introduced by the NSDAP, with its estimated introductory dates ranging between 1921 and 1923. On its introduction it was not fully standardized and came in at least five variations. The SA pattern buckle was originally worn by other NSDAP organizations including the SS, the NSKK, the NSBO, and political leaders

Unfortunately, the ambition and socialist leanings of the SA eventually came into conflict with the goals of the rest of the party, and in 1934 the group leadership was purged, and by 1936 the buckle was officially replaced, though many still wore them.