Original Item. Only One Available. An original German WWII-era NSDAP flag bearing several handwritten names, believed to have been added by American servicemen as a wartime souvenir. The flag measures approximately 17 3/4" x 15" [45.1 x 38.1 cm] and is constructed from lightweight red woven fabric with a separately applied white circular roundel and a black canted swas. emblem.

The flag is particularly interesting for its handwritten inscriptions, which appear across the white roundel and red field. Several names are reasonably legible, including Frank Koniczny and John Cunningham, the latter accompanied by “New York.” Another inscription appears to read “Chet Harshman”, followed by “N. Dak.”, presumably referring to North Dakota. An inscription near the upper portion of the roundel may read “Hermon Gordon”, although the first name is uncertain. A further signature on the red field includes the surname Middleton, with the preceding initials or given name difficult to establish. Additional portions of the handwriting are indistinct.

The combination of names and American place references suggests that the flag was signed by U.S. personnel, possibly during the closing stages of WWII or the subsequent occupation of Germany. The individuals, their military affiliations, and the circumstances in which the inscriptions were added remain unconfirmed.

The flag remains in good overall condition, with strong red coloration and a clearly defined central emblem. The fabric exhibits creasing, scattered staining, dark handling marks, and general age-related wear. The white roundel shows discoloration and localized fraying along its perimeter, while the inscriptions remain largely legible. The principal fabric construction is intact, with wear consistent with age and handling.

Historical Context

The NSDAP adopted its distinctive red, white, and black flag in 1920. Its design drew upon the colors associated with Imperial Germany and became one of the most recognizable political symbols of the period.

Following the establishment of the Third Reich in 1933, the party flag assumed an increasingly prominent official role. A decree issued on March 12, 1933, authorized its display alongside the former German Imperial black, white, and red flag. On September 15, 1935, the Reich Flag Law established the party design as Germany's sole national flag.

Flags of this pattern subsequently appeared throughout German public life, including on government buildings, at political gatherings, during official ceremonies, and in public and private displays. They were manufactured in various sizes and configurations according to their intended use.

During the Allied advance into Germany in 1944–1945, German flags, banners, and other political insignia were frequently collected as war souvenirs. American servicemen sometimes added signatures, unit information, dates, or hometowns to captured material, creating personal records of their wartime experiences.

Such inscriptions can be especially useful in understanding how an object passed from its original German setting into American possession. Names and geographical references may also provide starting points for further research, although handwriting alone is insufficient to establish the identity or service history of a particular individual.