Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a great example of a rare Spanish "Knapsack flag", dating from the Spanish-American war era. It measures a very displayable 27" x 30½", and is of light canvas construction, with it being mostly Red with black stripes. In the center is a Spanish castle meant to indicate sappers, engineers, and miners. Surrounding it is the following text:

CIA DE ZAPADORES MINADORES
DE BALEARES

Which translates to:

Company of Sappers and Miners
of the Balearic Islands

This unit traces its lineage to the modern day Engineer Regiment No. 7. This unit served in Cuba during the majority of the Spanish-American War, seeing heavy combat against American troops.

Condition is very good, with the expected age toning and light wear from service, as shown. There is some staining on the body, but overall the colors are very well retained. It looks like there were some corner ties on either end of the top, however they are gone. The flag is stamped on the end 5 2 1902, possibly a date.

A lovely example, more than ready for further research and display!

The Knapsack Flag is a uniquely Spanish phenomenon, and basically were given to every member of a unit, with the designation printed on it. In Spain it is called a Bandera de Mochila, but is sometimes also referred to as a Bandera de Percha or "hanger flag." Although commonly called a flag, the regulations refer to it as a pañuelo, i.e. a bandana or handkerchief. A list of items to be issued to troops embarking for Cuba published in the January 12, 1898 edition of "Diario Oficial del Ministerio de la Guerra" references the knapsack flag as a pañuelo cubrepercha or "hanger covering bandana." The knapsack flag was first issued in 1860 to the expeditionary forces fighting in North Africa. This tradition of giving every Spanish soldier his own personal flag continued until 1927.