Wassersportflagge – Germany ca. 1935–1936

Wassersportflagge – Germany ca. 1935–1936
Full view of the flag

Full view of the flag

Full view of the original Wassersportflagge (ca. 57 × 103 cm). Classic 3:5 layout with white anchor in the black stripe.

Identification

  • Flag type: Wassersportflagge (Water Sports Flag)
  • Country: Germany
  • Period of use: 31 May 1935 – 17 January 1936
  • Usage: Civilian yacht and boat identification for NS-registered clubs
  • Design: Black-white-red horizontal tricolor with white 45° anchor in the black stripe

Measurements

  • Measured size: approx. 57 × 103 cm
  • Aspect ratio: ≈ 3:5
  • Depot class: Matches nominal 1,00 m size category (likely 0,6 × 1,0 m classification)

Material and Construction

  • Fabric: Coarse wool, loosely woven, consistent with period-typical flag textiles
  • Anchor field: Anchor design appears via negative-resist technique in dyed field
  • Stitching: Double-fold hem, reinforced corners, hand-sewn with natural thread
  • Hoist: Heavy-duty cotton or linen canvas hoist band with classic stitch reinforcement
  • Rope: Natural fiber rope hoist with hand-woven loop. Shows authentic aging and no synthetic materials
  • Markings: "1,00" penciled on hoist – a typical depot marking indicating nominal length
Detail of fabric and weave

Detail of fabric and weave

Close-up showing the wool texture. Loose weave typical of 1930s flag fabric. The anchor is applied via negative resist-dyeing.

Sewn edge and reinforcement

Sewn edge and reinforcement

Corner stitching with reinforcement and double fold. Standard for official flag production of the period.

Rope hoist with loop

Rope hoist with loop

Original natural fiber rope with hand-finished loop. No plastic or metal parts, and shows authentic patina from storage and age.

Size marking 1,00 on hoist

Size marking 1,00 on hoist

Hand-written “1,00” marking in pencil on the hoist edge, indicating a nominal flag length of 1.00 meters. Common depot practice of the 1930s.

Historical Context

The Wassersportflagge was introduced in May 1935 for registered water sports clubs in Nazi Germany. It was meant to distinguish officially sanctioned civilian boats from “wild” or non-registered vessels. Though based on the old imperial tricolor, the anchor marked it as part of the new NS-aligned marine structure. It was only in use for a brief period before being replaced in early 1936 by a version with a swastika above the anchor.

Flagging regulations

The Wassersportflagge could only be flown in conjunction with the national Reich flag (with swastika). Typically, the water sports flag was displayed in the bow (guest position), while the Reich flag flew at the stern or masthead. This requirement, introduced in May 1935, served as both a political affirmation and a mechanism to distinguish officially sanctioned clubs from unregulated private vessels. Contemporary directives explicitly prohibited use of the flag without the accompany...

Kilder og referencer

Comments

Post a Comment