Original Item. Only One Available. This is a very nice German WWII-era NSDAP flag, displaying the familiar black canted swas. emblem within a large white circular field against a bright red background. The flag is made from lightweight woven red cloth, with a separately applied white cotton roundel secured by machine stitching. The black emblem is printed onto the white fabric, retaining its bold and well-defined appearance.

Measuring approximately 28 ½” x 19 ¼” [72.4 x 48.9 cm], the flag retains two metal suspension hooks at the upper and lower corners of the hoist, intended for hanging or securing it during display.

Condition is very good overall, with strong coloration and light wear from age, handling, and storage. The fabric exhibits scattered creases, while the white roundel shows mild age toning. There is one noticeable small hole in the red field toward the upper right portion of the flag. The central emblem remains well preserved, and both suspension hooks are present.

Historical Context

The distinctive red flag with its white roundel and black swas. was adopted by the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (NSDAP), or National Socialist German Workers' Party, in 1920. AH was closely involved in developing the design, choosing the black, white, and red color scheme in reference to the former German Empire. These colors had strong nationalist associations during the Weimar Republic, particularly among political movements opposed to the post-WWI political order.

During the 1920s and early 1930s, the flag became the principal identifying symbol of the NSDAP, appearing at political rallies, demonstrations, marches, and party gatherings. Its prominence increased considerably following the party's rise to power in January 1933. On March 12, 1933, President Paul von Hindenburg and AH issued a decree requiring the NSDAP flag to be flown alongside the former Imperial black-white-red tricolor. This arrangement replaced the black-red-gold national colors of the Weimar Republic and gave the party emblem an official role in representing the German state.

A further change came on September 15, 1935, with the passage of the Reichsflaggengesetz, or Reich Flag Law, during the annual NSDAP rally at Nuremberg. The legislation established the swas. flag as Germany's sole national and merchant flag, formally replacing the earlier dual-flag arrangement. The centrally positioned white roundel remained characteristic of the NSDAP party flag, while the regulated national flag design subsequently incorporated a roundel positioned slightly toward the hoist.

Flag display became an important part of public life under the Reich. Political flags appeared at NSDAP offices and gatherings, while national flags were displayed on public buildings, commercial establishments, and private residences during official occasions. Large-scale flag displays were particularly prominent during annual celebrations, political ceremonies, and events organized by the NSDAP and its affiliated organizations.

Throughout WWII, the red, white, and black flag remained one of the most recognizable symbols of the German government and the NSDAP, appearing across Germany and in German-occupied territories. Its widespread use reflected the integration of party symbolism into German political and public life. Following Germany's defeat in May 1945, the Allied occupation authorities abolished the NSDAP and prohibited the official use of its emblems.