This is a very special item. I have never before seen one for sale on eBay, or anywhere else. There is no Marine Corps item, or piece of memorabilia, that can compare to the quality of this one. This is the official Battle Color of the Marine Corps, complete with its original tassel. It is an authentic Marine Corps flag, also known as: the Marine Corps: Battle Color, Battle Standard, Organizational Color or Organizational Standard (all the same except for the words on the flag’s scroll). The proper nomenclature for this particular flag is: “USMC Organizational Standard, Type III, Class 1.” This is a “new” flag, packed in its original box, never issued, although it was made in 1993. It is in perfect original condition. It is fully embroidered and not printed. It is 100% made in the USA… all materials and labor (twenty three hours of labor in each flag). It was originally ordered and purchased by the Marine Corps and has been in storage since 1993, until legally acquired by me (some details below if you are interested).

The Marine Corps pays approximately $900.00 for one of these flags with the tassel.

These flags are made in two different formats… same flag… different words on the scroll (the “scroll” is that flowing, white, sort-of-banner, below the emblem, with the words on it). The generic (Type III, Class 2) variety says “UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS.” Those are generally kept by non “operating force” units (previously called the “FMF”). The organizational variety (Type III, Class 1) would say something like: “2ND BATTALION 2ND MARINES”, “8TH MARINE REGIMENT”, or “MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE.” (and in some cases Type III, Class 1, flags (like this one) can say: “United States Marine Corps”, but don’t let all of that confuse you… it took me a long time to figure out the nomenclature; it doesn’t mean much). You can see the actual lists of units authorized to own these flags if you check the flag manual referenced below.

This flag comes with the original double tassel in scarlet and gold (shown in the pictures). The tassel itself, is quite impressive. The tassel cord is 8 ft. 6 inches long not including the tassels. It is tied to the top of the flag staff, below the spear tip, using a girth hitch. I have seen the tassel alone sell for $79.00 on the net.

This is a very large nylon flag. It measures 4 ft. 4 in. X 5 ft. 6 in. or 52” X 66”. It has a “polehem” or sleeve along one side for the flag pole or staff to be inserted… no grommets. Inside that polehem are two little leather tabs that are used to secure the flag to the pole. You can see it in one of the pictures. This is the type of flag that is carried by the color guard in a parade. The pole shown in the pictures is NOT included. You will have to get your own pole and they are readily available through any flag dealer… many of whom are on the internet. Mine is a “guidon pole”, search the web on “guidon pole” and you will find plenty. The proper pole should have a chrome metal spear (called an "army spear") on the top (shown in the pictures)… Pole and Spear NOT included in this sale. You should also have a stand for the pole if you wish to display the flag indoors. Even though the flag is large, you can mount it on a pole and display it in a room with 8 ft. ceilings and the flag will NOT be touching the floor… close, but not touching. If you need a source for a pole, contact me. You can also make your own pole by using materials commonly available at a good lumber supplier. Oak poles with a diameter around 1 1/4” can be purchased for around $2.00 or less per foot.

The flag is fully double sided. The embroidered eagle, globe and anchor emblem is on BOTH sides. The one on the back is of course, reversed. Each side of the flag has an appliquéd and embroidered scroll so that it is readable correctly on BOTH sides. That is not the case on the inexpensive polyester flag that you may already have. Those polyester flags are nice; I have one myself which I fly outdoors on various occasions such as the Marine Corps Birthday (10 Nov.). But, there is no comparison between those flags and this one.

I had the most enjoyable experience of actually visiting the flag factory that makes all of the flags for the Marine Corps (and some for other services). Making these flags is a fascinating process; very labor intensive. It is basically all done by hand. They obviously use sewing machines, but each and every flag is made individually. All of the embroidery is done inch by inch, letter by letter, using what appears to be a small industrial sewing machine (looks just like a home sewing machine). The fabric portions, such as the appliquéd scroll work are all cut by hand. Before I saw it in person, I envisioned a monster machine of some sort that you fed fabric into, and finished flags came out of the other end. I was wrong.

Be aware that these flags are not generally available for purchase. I have never seen one for sale anywhere. The Marine Corps of course, does not sell them. Nor do Marine Corps exchanges or other outlets. There are flag makers who are not suppliers to the Marine Corps that will make you a nice embroidered flag similar to this… for around $900.00. Again, be aware that this one listed here is NOT an aftermarket flag; it is original Marine Corps issue, Marine Corps property, made in the USA.

This flag is an important item that you may have questions about. If you have questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to email me at: awjennings@sbcglobal.net. If you wish to speak in person, email me your phone number and best times to call, and I’ll call you on my nickel.

If you wish to know everything there is to know about Marine Corps (and national) flags, you can download the Marine Corps Flag Manual. It is a large document that tells you all about this flag and flags in general. You can also see the list of units that rate a flag (generally “companies” do NOT rate a flag… only battalion/squadron and above. The manual is a good read, a lot of historical information. If you are interested in Marine Corps flags, I highly recommend that you read it. See:

http://www.usmc.mil/directiv.nsf/bc9ae2674a92558d852569140064e9d8/aca390d7d0db6adb85256926005ff32b?OpenDocument

I learned an interesting (and completely irrelevant) bit of trivia in reading the above manual. With respect to the national (American) flag, using gold fringe around the edges is expressly PROHIBITED within the Marine Corps. Decorating or altering the American flag is not allowed. Marines don’t display American flags with gold fringe. What is most interesting, is that the US Army always carries American flags WITH a gold fringe around the edge. Go figure.

If you want to see example pictures of Marine Corps flags, of the same type listed here on ebay, here are some pointers to the USMC web site; they are worth taking a look. When you get there, click on the high resolution version, usually on the bottom right:

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200435123225

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004310173853

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200511136026

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/ae82f18a8e1b160b852568ba007e7e5e/16d0c0d87f83a1fc8525710d0066241e/$FILE/RIP%202.jpg

I have attached many pictures so that bidders could get a good look at the flag. They may take a while to download if you are on dial-up; hopefully the pictures will be worth the wait. I have shown the front and back sides, some close-ups of the detail, the shipping tag on the box, the inside of the polehem sleeve showing the nomenclature tag sewn onto the flag, the tassels, etc. I show the pole, but remember, the pole is NOT included…. This is my pole for my own flag. The pictures likewise, are of my own flag. The one you are bidding on is identical in every respect. It will be in its original box with the original packing. If the bidder or his/her representative is in Northern Illinois and would like to personally inspect the flag prior to the end of the auction, this can be arranged at a mutually agreeable time.

The Marine Corps today makes all flag purchases through their supply center in Albany Georgia. When a unit needs a new flag, they requisition the flag through Albany, and Albany orders it from a single supplier. They only use one flag company to supply this type of flag at the present time. Regulations require that all labor and materials be domestic. The entire flag is made from scratch each and every time. However, in 1993 it was the practice to purchase the flags complete, but without the scroll. The Marine Corps would then have an inventory of “blank” flags and when a unit needed a flag, the supply center would grab one from inventory, send it back to the manufacturer, who would then apply the proper scroll. It was presumably done this way to speed up the process. For whatever reason, it is no longer done in this manner. Now, when a unit needs a flag, Albany orders a complete new flag. Therefore, that inventory of “blank” flags was no longer needed, and was disposed of by sale… and I bought them. There are no more; the Marine Corps has no more like this in storage. The last picture below shows one of those “blank” flags (it is pretty wrinkled as it is right out of the box; the wrinkles will go away with some hanging). I delivered those “blanks” to the flag company that currently makes all Marine Corps flags, and paid them to apply the proper scrolls, exactly as they do on the new flags they make, to complete these flags. They are now exactly the same as a new one ordered by the Corps.

Please note that I have a few “blanks” left, and if you would wish to have the proper unit designation of a unit that you might have served with, on the scroll, it can be done; you can have a “customized” flag. It would take two to three weeks longer and would cost an additional $50 over the final bid price.

Buyer pays $12.00 for domestic insured priority mail shipping. The flag will be shipped in its original factory box. The label on that box is shown in one of the pictures. Overnight insured express mail will be $26.00. Thanks for bidding.

Semper Fidelis!

Al Jennings J