Original Item: Only One Available. Now this is an impressive Imperial German flag! This flag is a Braunschweig (Brunswick) State Regimental Standard with flagpole and topper. The topper has a 1914 Prussian Iron Cross, and unscrews from the top fitting.

Standards, however, are a type of flag used for personal identification and will only carry the coat of arms of its owner, such as the Royal Standard in the UK or the personal standard of any armiger. Hence, a standard is a type of flag but a flag isn't necessarily a standard. They are not necessarily triangular in shape nor hung with bunting on a ship. In this case this is the standard for the German State of Brunswick.

The flag is of blue rayon construction with highly detailed painted decoration of Brunswick type skulls and crossbones to each corner and crowned white rearing horse to the center with scroll below that reads as “Mit Gott für Kaiser, Fürſt u. Vaterland” which translates to “With God for Emperor, Prince, and Country”. The design is identical on each side. The painted symbols and lettering was retained rather well but there are areas of loss. A few of the painted skulls are just outlines now with the rest of the painted areas still quite nice and detailed. The flag itself measures approximately 45” x 45” and is fixed to a 107 1/2” pole which still retains 80 percent of the original white paint. With the screw-on finial removed, it is 100” in length.

The overall condition is good but rather worn. There is tearing present, holes, seam separation and staining but still displays well. The faded isn’t too significant and all the colors can still be seen.

A great example of a rather rare Imperial German Standard that comes more than ready for further research and display.

Totenkopf
In 1809, during the War of the Fifth Coalition, Frederick William, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel raised a force of volunteers to fight Napoleon Bonaparte, who had conquered the Duke's lands. The Brunswick corps was provided with black uniforms, giving rise to their nickname, the Black Brunswickers. Both hussar cavalry and infantry in the force wore a Totenkopf badge, either in mourning for the duke's father, Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, who had been killed at the Battle of Jena–Auerstedt in 1806, or according to some sources, as a sign of revenge against the French. After fighting their way through Germany, the Black Brunswickers entered British service and fought with them in the Peninsular War and at the Battle of Waterloo. The Brunswick corps was eventually incorporated into the Prussian Army in 1866.