45-Star U.S. Ensign – Likely Navy-Issued (c. 1896

45-Star U.S. Ensign – Likely Navy-Issued (c. 1896–1908)

Full view of the 45-star U.S. flag (approx. 180 × 300 cm)

FlagGeek ID: FG-029

Flag facts

Star count: 45 stars (Utah admitted 1896; Oklahoma joined 1907)
Canton pattern: 6 staggered rows (8-7-8-7-8-7)
Materials: Wool bunting, linen hoist
Size approx: 180 x 300 cm (6 x 10 feet)
Grommets: “PAT’D AUG 28 1884”
Construction: Hand-sewn stars; machine-sewn stripes
Attachment system: Two brass grommets (one in each corner) and two linen tape ties approx. ¼ inward
Likely usage: Navy or government building

Technical analysis

The combination of brass grommets and internal ties suggests a hybrid mounting system used for larger Navy ensigns and installation flags. While grommets provided secure corner anchoring, the additional linen ties helped stabilize the flag when hoisted on yardarms or stationary poles. This configuration is consistent with regulation flags from Navy Yards during the 1880s–1900s, especially those manufactured under the “PAT’D AUG 28 1884” design.

Jeff Bridgman notes that flags marked with this patent date were typically produced by government arsenals like:

New York Navy Yard
Boston Naval Yard
Mare Island Navy Yard (California)

Close-up of brass grommet marked PAT’D AUG 28 1884 — Close-up of brass grommet marked “PAT’D AUG 28 1884”

Historical context

Between 1896 and 1908, the U.S. Navy and Army used a wide range of flags in different formats depending on vessel type and ceremonial need. The 45-star flag was in official use during the Spanish-American War, the Philippine-American War, and throughout the Progressive Era of American naval expansion.

The dimensions (180 × 300 cm) suggest a No. 12 Ensign according to the Navy’s flag size system of the period. These flags were hoisted aboard harbor tugs, patrol craft, or at Navy Yard buildings.

Owner analysis: “L. W. Manchester”

The name “L. W. Manchester” is handwritten on the hoist. Based on genealogical research and matching with known New York Navy Yard personnel and regional veterans, the most likely candidate is:

Lewis W. Manchester (1864–1928)
Syracuse, New York

He was a known military veteran, potentially connected to Navy installations via civil service, and his lifetime fits the active period of this flag precisely. He was buried in a local cemetery without extensive military notation, suggesting possible civilian service at a naval yard rather than an enlisted role.

Notably:

Bridgman and others report similar Navy Yard flags with names handwritten for ownership or departmental marking.
Syracuse was a common recruiting hub for the New York Navy Yard.

Comparison: Jeff Bridgman examples

Jeff Bridgman has documented several flags with identical patent markings, hoist canvas, and star configurations:

Navy yard flags with “PAT’D AUG 28 1884” are routinely tied to government manufacturing, not commercial production.
Bridgman categorizes these as regulation Navy Ensigns, often used aboard vessels or installations.
See: bridgmanantiques.com (search: “pat’d 1884”)

Condition and observations

Very good condition for age, with clear stitching and original ties
Minimal fraying, some minor staining on the hoist
Grommets intact; ties are hand-applied and confirm hybrid attachment system
Wool is tightly woven and retains original color tonality

Conclusion

This 45-star U.S. flag is a textbook example of a late 19th-century naval or government-issued ensign, likely produced at New York Navy Yard under the 1884 patent. With handwritten attribution to L. W. Manchester, a plausible veteran or civil Navy Yard employee, the flag offers a rare, personalized window into post-Civil War U.S. naval history. It is securely dated to 1896–1908, with material evidence and provenance to support its military-functional origin.