Help Identify Wig Wag Signal Flag....WW1 or Civil War Era or ?

[Joeyd]

Trying to figure out what this Wig Wag signal flag is and wondering if anyone could offer any insight. Looking at Internet info. but not too confirming on anything for me....It's made of old lightweight linen that is pretty stained and soiled in places with straight line edge stitching. It measures about 2' square with the red center square about 7 1/2" not stretched which seems to be of a dyed or screened color and not a separate sewn on piece with frayed ties at top and bottom corners. Any opinions on who, what, where or when would be appreciated. Thanks

 

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[Retired Sarge]

I take it by your description there is no manufacturer information on it......This is something in my opinion would take a knowledgeable person to do an in hand inspection to accurately date. They were used prior to the ACW and used by the USN into the twentieth century.

It seems to be made in the same manner as ACW used flags, but I don't know if reproduction ones were made or not, or for how long they made them for.

Expample Official 48 star US flags are made for use in the burial of WWII veterans, WWII monuments, parades etc.

 

[Joeyd]

Hey Mike....thanks for the reply. No, I can't see any manufacturing info. anywhere on it and you are exactly right that a in hand inspection to accurately date. It does reflect similarities to a ACW signal flag in the material and size but that's as far as I can get. I have no idea if these were reproduced or not but if so, someone went to great lengths to do so as in person, it just looks very old, stinks and fragile. Appreciate your service!!!!

 

[Mud Hut]

Hey Mike....thanks for the reply. No, I can't see any manufacturing info. anywhere on it and you are exactly right that a in hand inspection to accurately date. It does reflect similarities to a ACW signal flag in the material and size but that's as far as I can get. I have no idea if these were reproduced or not but if so, someone went to great lengths to do so as in person, it just looks very old, stinks and fragile. Appreciate your service!!!!

There are reproductions .. don't know if yours is one or not, but they are out there: ITEMS FOR SALE

 

[crashbandicoot]

Any former yeoman signalers could shed some light on it,only thing that comes to mind for me is it could be part of a U.S.Navy signal hoist,a stream of flags hoisted to signal other ships as to orders or maneuvers.I have no idea what that particular one means.

 

[Joeyd]

Hey Mud....thanks, I'm not sure either. I looked at the link you shared and noticed those have 4 ties and the one I have has only two? Anyway, maybe I can find someone I can send it to if I can determine it might be worthy as a piece of war history?

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Or Boy Scouts -

BSA Semaphore flags

 

[Joeyd]

Hey Charlie....I guess possible but those are of a canvas heavier material. I did read in an article that the use of linen in the 2' Civil War era signal flags was because of the weight as horsemen carried them held up and anything other caused much fatigue.

 

[Rmeav8r]

You beat me to it! Yes, the Boy Scouts used these also, very common in the 1930's -1950's.

Or Boy Scouts -

BSA Semaphore flags