As a young Lieutenant in the reserves I was a platoon commander in a territorial batalion in the Netherlands. A year before the batalions were disbanded we had a three week exercise. I received 4 Brens in my platoon as Squad weapon. Two were from 1943 and two from 1944. The day at the shooting ranges was unforgettable. They were shooting straight as a knife. We even had tripods for them so that we could hit more distant targets at the shootingrange.   Great weapon, even after 50 years.   regards Herman

Thanks again Leigh. Happy New Year!

Thanks, that’s pretty much what happened! Is there anybody who actually thinks it’s real?

Don,   You're welcome, I too have numerous Third Reich era flags, banners and wimples (Pennants). The manufacturing techniques varied by manufacturer as well as the quality of the flags depending on their intended use. Outdoor use flags tended to be made of more durable cotton and wool type materials and in most cases (but not all) these flags were printed (silk screening and other forms). Most of the embroidered (again many but not all) were for use indoors at Headquarters and Party Offices and the quality of the material again varied from silk and other higher quality fabrics which would not have been exposed to the harsh elements outdoors.    Unit Colors and flags were a combination of the cotton and wool as well as silk and wire embroidered bullion insignia.    One of my mentors on flags was the late Ben K. Weed. His collection of flags as well as his knowledge of the flags was absolutely amazing. He had a great topic on the Wehrmacht Awards Forum titled "Who Made the Flags?" Over 30 pages of information on various makers and he also went deep into the many reproduction flags out there and what to look for. Some are quite obvious while other reproductions and fakes are quite convincing.    Best regards   Leigh 

Hmm.  Not sure.  Idk it’s US, but I’d have picked it up too if cheap.  I have a habit of doing that.  Neat cap. 

Thanks for the information Leigh! I have over 20 flags, banners and pendants in various sizes. I also have a small rectangular pendant that has the arms individually sewn. The larger banner that I have shown is my favorite just because the arms are individually sewn. It is faded, small holes and some spots of red drip marks...blood? Who knows...

Don   Both Printed (silk screening) and embroidered versions of the NSDAP flag as well as other Third Reich flags existed in the earliest days of the Third Reich. Most of the multipiece flags in which the swastika arms were made of multiple pieces of folded cloth were sewn by master craftsmen and the material was silk and other fabrics. The printed flags were quicker to manufacture and are more commonly found. The embroidered flags of the period if not damaged and fraying will be more valuable in some cases due to the craftsmanship and bullion materials used on them.    Some of the flag manufacturers of the Reich Period also switched from embroidered to printing when materials were harder to obtain.    There are some good flag reference books although they are dated but since no new flag books have been written in a number of years, these books still hold a wealth of information as well as period photos showing some of the flags being made.    Flags and Banners of the Third Reich by A.S. Walker, circa 1973   Flags of the Third Reich by Brian L. Davis, Illustrated by Malcolm McGregor, circa 2000   Flags and Standards of the Third Reich, Army, Navy and Air Force by Brian L Davis, circa 1975   These books as well as many of the Third Reich period magazines such as "Die Wehrmacht"   have some great articles written about the items of war being made and manufactured, one article about flags being made was in such magazine.   Leigh       

I have been collecting for 35 yrs.  I have many interesting pistols (in my opinion).   A 1904 Mannlicher   An early Reichsrevolver with artillery unit markings; 11 mm German   A MAS 1873 8 mm revolver   A 1910 Mauser 25   A CZ 38 Nazi run; 380 auto   A P38 with Holster that has seen extensive action, with the name R. Muller written inside; issued in Aug 1944; possible Bulge Weapon   A 1934-35  RZM PPK serial number 82,6xxx; heavily used   4 different Webleys in .455, 45 ACP and 38 SW from WW1 and WW2   An 1878 Tranter in 450 Ely marked R Jones, 30 Chapel St. Liverpool (possible ZULU War issue)   And a few others   I also have a K98 bayonet with a 30 cal bullet through it that was taken off a dead German soldier by my friends dad.     All have ammo and have been shot at least a 12 times; The Tranter shot twice then cracked   I worked 10 yrs for DoD Marine Corp led Joint Directorate on advance concept anti-personnel weapon development (Directed Energy)   I have owned and driven a 1989 Supercharged MR2, a 2003 BMW Z3 and a 1993 Corvette C4 350;  Still have two of these in great condition   I am 74 yrs old.    

Hi. Is it possible to identify this as an original issue badge please? Thank you

Here is a link to a sword given to a Mounted Policeman as a Christmas gift.    

Hello! I have an early German banner with the "arms" (?) on the swastika individually sewn. I am guessing very early 30's. What year did the printed version start?

Here are mine.