Altered Weimar Kriegsflagge

Full view of the flag showing the black–white–red tricolour and central iron cross.

Introduction & Historical Context

This flag is a textbook example of a transitional Reichskriegsflagge—a Weimar-period naval war ensign that was repurposed and altered during the early National Socialist years (ca. 1933–1935). These so-called “alter Art” models reflect the limbo between regimes: before the standardized Third Reich war flag was introduced in late 1935, many ships continued flying existing Weimar flags—albeit with ideological modifications.

Visual Comparison: Weimar vs. Alter Art

Weimar Reichskriegsflagge (1921–1933)

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“Alter Art” Reichskriegsflagge (ca. 1933–1935)

Modifications and Transitional Features

• A white border has been added around the iron cross, following early Nazi iconographic conventions.
• The upper hoist canton has been physically cut out and replaced with a solid black fabric insert, eliminating the Weimar-era tricolour.
• Flag construction is consistent with Reichsmarine wool manufacturing from the late 1920s.

Close-up of the upper corner where the Weimar canton has been removed and replaced with black cloth.

Rope hoist and reinforced stitching, consistent with Reichsmarine manufacturing.

The white edging around the iron cross was added during the transitional period (ca. 1933–1935).

Marking & Construction

The flag bears a clear Weimar naval approval mark and shows a stamped size of “1x6”. This most likely represents an official depot-style abbreviation for 100 × 60 cm (1.0 × 0.6 m).

Similar formats appear on other transitional naval flags during the early NS period, particularly between 1933 and 1935.

Weimar naval marking and simplified “1x6” size stamp indicating official depot issue.

Evaluation

This flag represents a rare and authentic example of ideological flag conversion during a regime transition. Its preservation, structure and documented alteration provide important insight into early Third Reich military practices.

References

• Bucher, H.: Deutsche Flaggenzeichen 1871–1945. Hamburg: Mittler Verlag, 1981.
• Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr, Dresden – Flaggen- und Abzeichensammlung.
• Deutsches Marinearchiv – Flaggenvorschriften der Reichsmarine (1921–1933).
• Flat illustrations of both the Weimar and Alter Art flags are borrowed with credit from Wikipedia: Reichskriegsflagge.