Original German WW1 WW2 800 SILVER ENGRAVED SHIELD FLAG NAIL BADGEThis item depicted in the images below is an original German engraved honor badge or "flag nail." Hand engraved and finished Flag Nail, honor badge, as presented to the War Veterans Support Association. Measures approximately 2 1/8" high and curved to fit around a flagpole. Engraved to read, "Gewidmet Kriegerverein Pratzlamken (?) Kriegerverein Bynsk (?) Fahnen(?) 11.8.1911." Marked "800" on the reverse for silver content; weighs 12.8 grams. Appears to have started its life as gilt. No damage with some wear. Looks like it survived a couple of world wars. As far as Flag Nails, it was the German tradition to mount these "Flag Nails" (Fahnenagel) on the flagpoles of the various units in commemoration of dates, events and people, and this tradition continued from the late 19th century through WW2. At the end of WW2, all flags were confiscated, and this ended the tradition. Purchased by my friend as part of a collection directly from Detlev Niemann of Hamburg (the famous author of catalogue "Orders and Decorations Germany 1871-1945", 2008. Original pictures. For sample I put a stick of flag with the same flag nail.Estimate price for this item is $900 - $950.
