Wuerttemberg Flag Medal

Up until WWII, parade flags were an important part of German and European pageantry. These flags were state of the art craftsmanship usually made of two pieces of silk heavily embroidered with bullion thread and in full color featuring coats of arms and saints. Most groups had their own unique flag which was only brought out for parades and special occasions. Veterans groups, religious groups, trade groups and student groups were prolific and each had their flag. Many times when I see a picture of such a flag it is a veterans group and it also has long ribbons or streamers hanging from the top of the flag pole where the top of the flag is attached. These streamers commemorate major events important to the flag’s group. Often the streamers have medals or heavy finals hanging from the bottom of the streamers which helps stabilize them on windy days. The medal illustrated here is one that was issued by the Kingdom of Wuerttemberg to it’s veterans associations to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Franco-Prussian War in 1895. This massive bronze oval medal is 68 mm across 87 mm tall not including the loop and weighs in at just shy of 6.5 ounces. There are traces of an original silver finish. The obverse (?) has the Imperial German Eagle above the date 1871, and the reverse has the crowned Wuerttemberg coat of arms. An impressive medal..