SCROLL DOWN FOR PICTURES ------ FOR QUESTIONS, EMAIL: awjennings@sbcglobal.net

This is a very special item. I have never before seen one for sale except for two that I myself sold on ebay.

There is no Marine Corps item, or piece of memorabilia, that can compare to the quality and dignity 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.

I have included a lot of written information (probably more than you ever wanted to know), and a lot of pictures, to give you all of the facts and details about these flags.

The flag 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 at the Naval Support Activity, Naval Supply Systems Command, Mechanicsburg, PA, until legally acquired by me (some acquisition details below if you are interested).

The Marine Corps pays around $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” (previously called the “FMF”) units such as Headquarters Marine Corps, the Naval Academy, various military schools, the White House, and numerous other locations. The "organizational" variety (Type III, Class 1) would usually 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 Marine Corps 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 approximately 8 ft. long (per MCO P10520.3B) not including the tassels. It is tied to the top of the flag staff, below the spear tip, using a girth hitch (shown in one of the pictures below). I have found the tassel alone selling for $79.00 from a flag company.

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… it has 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 mine and is NOT included. You will have to get your own pole and they are readily available through any decent flag company… 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 be of light ash wood but some are oak. The specification for the official and proper Marine Corps pole calls for a 9 ft. 6 in. long pole... making it difficult to display in a home with 8 ft. ceilings. My guidon pole was 8 ft. long and I had to shorten it. It 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. 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 $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 appliquTd 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 (The US Flag & Signal Company in Portsmouth, VA) that makes all of the flags for the Marine Corps (and some for other services). US Flag & signal is presently the sole supplier of these flags to the Corps. I recommend them for any accessories such as poles or stands (and I am not their agent nor do I have any affiliation with them). 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 pretty much like a home sewing machine). The fabric portions, such as the appliquTd 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, authentic, Marine Corps issue, was 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 dime.

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.

Another flag anecdote that took place at a recent breakfast with several old friends. One of them was an army officer in the 1970's and another served in the army during the late 1950's. We were talking about flags and I asked if either of them knew what the US Army flag looked like. Neither of them did. They couldn't even tell me what color it is (it is white). But, they both could describe the Marine Corps flag. Interesting.

If you want to see example pictures of Marine Corps flags, 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

If you look carefully at a lot of real Marine Corps flags, you will see many differences in the way they were made over the years. These flags, being made in 1993, are now the "Old Corps" style of flag which I think is MUCH better looking than the new style. The pictures below will let you decide for yourself. I didn't know a thing about these flags until I got into it a few months back. All of the newer Marine Corps flags are rayon, although the Marine Corps order still calls for nylon. The flags I am selling are all made of NYLON, which is more rugged and durable than rayon. Rayon is softer and it hangs differently. Nylon will stand up to water... although most of these will never get wet. A rayon flag can be ruined by water. It will stain and the stains cannot be removed so don't get it wet. Also, the technique of embroidery is different. Mine were embroidered using the "Schiffli" technique. Newer flags use "Bonnaz" embroidery. These are not older or newer types of embroidery... both have been around for a long time... the flagmakers have just started using bonnaz more, so the newer flags are all Bonnaz. Which one is best, is a matter of personal judgement. I have a brand new Marine Corps flag (made in 2006) in my personal collection... only one. The last five close-up pictures show the differences in my older flags and the new. You can see them side-by-side (after the first two pictures) the very first picture (of the last five pictures) is the eagle from my 1993 flags, the second is the eagle as they are on new flags, and the others (the last three pictures) are side-by-side... the older style, like the ones I am selling, is always on the left in the pictures; the new style flag is on the right. It isn't all that important... just thought it would be interesting for those who are interested in Marine Corps flags. As you visit Marine Corps bases and see ceremonies etc., it is fun to look closely and see what they are using. At Camp Lejeune, if you visit the II MEF HQ lobby, they have flags for Division, Wing, MLG and MEF.... all are the older style like mine, although they are rayon instead of nylon. As I said, I have attached many pictures so that potential buyers can 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 into 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 ones available for purchase are identical in every respect. It will be in its original box with the original packing. If you have a friend or relative in Northern Illinois and would like to have them personally inspect the flag, or pick it up in person, 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.... made-in-the-USA. The entire flag is made from scratch each and every time. However, in 1993 it was apparently 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 flags 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 they very graciously, agreed to apply the proper scrolls, exactly as they do on the new flags, to complete these flags. They are now exactly the same as a new one ordered by the Corps.

The price for one of these flags is $550.00 plus shipping. I have no way to accept credit cards except via Paypal. Personal Checks and Money Orders are accepted. For domestic shipping, priority mail is $10.00 and Overnight Express is $25.00 (all shipping is fully insured). The flag will be shipped in its original factory box. The label on that box is shown in one of the pictures.

Semper Fidelis!

Al Jennings

