Imperial German Colonial Flag – ca. 1905–1912

Imperial German Colonial Flag
Full view of the Imperial Colonial Flag laid out flat. Clear 3:5 proportions and color separation.

Flag ID: FG-004

Imperial German Colonial Flag – c. 1905–1912

This is a well-preserved original example of the official Reichskolonialflagge (Imperial Colonial Flag) used by the German Empire from 1892 until the collapse of its overseas colonies in 1918. The design features the imperial tricolour (black–white–red) with the crowned imperial eagle applied within a white disc at the center.

This flag was most likely manufactured between 1905 and 1912, based on the use of hand-sewn flax thread, thick canvas hoist, and original brass grommets – hardware typically replaced during or after WWI. The body is made from heavy wool bunting stitched into three horizontal panels, with the eagle motif applied using a high-detail stenciling method common to pre-war production.

Technical observations

  • Measured size: 134 × 234 cm (approx. 3:5 ratio)
  • Depot size reference: Closely matches 150 × 250 cm standard size
  • Materials: Wool bunting, reinforced natural-fiber hoist, hand-applied emblem
  • Mounting: Two brass grommets with original braided rope loop still attached
  • Markings: No visible stamp or size marking; none expected for semi-official colonial issue
  • Condition: Excellent overall; bright colours, complete hoist, no major loss or repairs

Historical and rarity assessment

The Reichskolonialflagge was first adopted in 1892 and used exclusively by official German colonial authorities, military outposts, and customs stations overseas. Because of the limited deployment and destruction of colonial materials post-1918, very few original examples survive today.

Based on collector archives, museum records, and known auction results, the number of surviving examples worldwide is estimated at fewer than 300, with possibly only 30–50 retaining full hoist hardware and less than 20 in well-preserved condition with intact eagle and full size.

This particular flag stands out due to its intact mounting, strong contrast in fabric colours, and preserved proportions. The eagle motif – with its crowned head and golden shield – is exceptionally clear, and the absence of modern reinforcement or alteration confirms its authenticity. A likely use scenario would have been for a government building, customs post, or colonial harbor installation prior to World War I.

Crowned Eagle motif
The crowned imperial eagle motif at center, showing detailed coloration and intact stitching.
Imperial shield
Detail of the personal shield with the Prussian eagle and Hohenzollern crown at the center of the larger eagle.
Lower red corner
Lower fly end with original seam and clean red wool section, no modern reinforcement visible.
Brass grommet and hoist
Original brass grommet mounted through thick hoist canvas. Stitching intact and historically accurate.
Rope loop detail
Braided cotton hoist rope with squared corner reinforcement – typical of early 20th-century German military standards.
Stitching detail
Hand-stitched reinforcement at rope exit. Strong X-stitch in natural thread through the hoist fold.
Crown detail
Upper crown area with minor discoloration. The crown is correctly depicted as the Prussian royal crown used until 1918.

Sources and References

  • “Flaggenbuch des Kaiserlichen Reichsmarineamts,” Berlin, 1901 / 1907.
  • Imperial German colonial administrative orders, Bundesarchiv Koblenz.
  • Vergleichsstücke: DHM Berlin, MHM Dresden, private collections (Zeller, Hermann Historica).

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