I researched about my flag through AI, and I got quite an education. I know that some of you have a rather low opinion of AI information, but that's all I've got, except now for you good folks here at the forum. I came across this in a plastic garbage bag that was in a plastic storage tote that I brought over to my house after cleaning out my brother in laws apartment after he passed away about 6 years ago, and I only discovered it the other day as I was going through some of the stuff I've accumulated in my sheds over the years. He was not in the navy and was not old enough to have served in WW2, so I have no clue where he got this flag. I don't know if this is the right place to post about this. I suppose that I want comments from those of you that are interested about what I have. After telling AI about what I had, It asked me what I wanted to do with it, and I answered this way. "Is it wrong of me to try and sell this. I love my country and respect the flag, but I came across this in an inheritance and really have no way to display this, but I also don't want to sell it to just anybody that wants to further profit it themselves and maybe not respect what it is. I would prefer that somebody purchase it that could somehow display it so that others could see it and get the reverence it deserves." So with that being said, what I will post below that the AI Bot told me, you can add to it or tell me I'm all wet, but anyway I wanted to share this with you all. And if any of you have an idea about how I should proceed with what I have and what I would want to do with it ........... please, I'm all ears.   Here is what I told AI I had. I said I came across a large flag that measured like I said in the title, more than 17 X 9. I also mentioned that the only markings I could find on it were the letters US ENS 6. Also three small letters or numbers that I cannot make out. It then proceeded to ask me many different questions, like the condition, what I thought the material was made out of, whether or not the stars were embroidered or sewn on, whether it had grommets or embedded rope, and it kept asking more and more questions trying to nail down exactly what I had. I answered everything to the best of my ability. It didn't ask me but I volunteered that it was also missing the star from the uppermost corner nearest the pole and that it was tattered in a number of places with some holes here and there. The conclusion that AI came up with ................. well let me copy and paste the highlights.   "You have a remarkably historic artifact on your hands. A 48-star flag dates its production precisely between 1912 and 1959. Because your flag features an embedded rope halter (often a heavy hemp or nylon rope with a metal snap hook or ring called a distance line) instead of standard brass grommets, it is definitively a U.S. Navy issue ship's ensign."   Your flag flew during one of the most turbulent eras in naval history—spanning World War II and the Korean War. Given its Size 6 dimensions (9 X 17.1) feet), it served as the daily standard banner for a destroyer or cruiser, or as a heavy-weather storm flag for a massive battleship or aircraft carrier during those conflicts.    The missing top-most star near the pole (hoist) was almost certainly accidental and caused by intense, localized physical stress, rather than an intentional symbolic act. The Pivot Point of Maximum Stress: The top corner of the flag nearest the pole—where the rope attaches—bears the absolute highest physical tension and wind load on a ship. When a warship moves at high speeds into heavy ocean winds, the flag snaps violently. The fabric right next to the reinforced rope header takes a brutal beating. The "Whip" Effect: Over time, wind friction and moisture cause the outer edges and sections closest to the header to fray, catch on rigging, or rip away entirely. If your flag has holes and tatters elsewhere, it is highly likely that this specific star area simply rotted out or tore away due to extreme operational wear-and-tear at sea.   Signs of Actual Wartime Service.  The combination of specific wear patterns on your flag heavily indicates active duty during a conflict like WWII: On naval vessels, flags were left flying in brutal conditions until they were too shredded to recognize. A tattered flag with numerous holes generally points to a flag that saw prolonged deployments at sea without being babied or replaced immediately. Wind damage usually results in horizontal fraying and tears extending from the fly end (the back) toward the front. If you have clean, isolated "punch-through" holes scattered across the middle of the stripes or the blue field (the canton), those are often the result of small flying fragments, sparks from the ship's own smokestacks, or even combat shrapnel.   The use of individual sewn-on fabric stars and a natural-fiber hemp rope places the manufacturing of your flag definitively within the World War II era (roughly 1941–1945).   Summary of What You Hold:  You possess a genuine World War II United States Navy Ship's Ensign (Size 6) made between 1941 and 1945. The coarse cotton fabric, individual sewn-on stars, and embedded natural fiber rope collectively indicate that this flag spent considerable time facing harsh ocean winds and high speeds on a World War II Destroyer or Cruiser, or was flown as a heavy-weather storm flag on a Battleship or Aircraft Carrier. The tattered holes and the missing top corner star—the exact point of maximum stress—stand as physical proof of long, exhausting service on the high seas during wartime. At 9 feet by 17.1 feet, it was assigned as the primary daily flag for a Destroyer or Cruiser, or the heavy-weather storm flag for an Aircraft Carrier or Battleship."   I"m sorry that was so long, but now I know and you know what I have. I'd love too get some pictures but I have yet to figure out how to do that. Well that's it. I'd love to ear any remarks or comments. Thanks for Listening.       

Thanks for the ID  on the 82nd, now that we see it does look a little AI-ish.   BTW does any Infantry Vets remember the cadence song I posted?

Lyle,  the other known 2-inch gun that went to Sheriff Flournoy is V648967.  

$250 to $300. The size 44 will help for those that want one to wear, but I think you would be quite lucky to get much over $300. I have bought quite a few over the years and currently own one from the same contract in my size (a 42) in original mint condition that I bought about 4 years ago for $250.

Okay, it is just discoloration. I actually enjoy a gun with some where. To me I interpret it as War Time use. A gun that looks like it sat in a drawer for the entire war does not interest me as much.

Thank you Ron. This is a huge amount of money for me. I have always hesitated to buy guns I have never touched before. And found that taking a day and getting other opinions always gives me a little more peace of mind.   I have had some people point out things I have not seen before.

From what I have heard (and I am far from an expert) but the greenbacks were usually first run/ early WWII issue patches, when the "need" for OD Green thread was not yet fully realized, once it was (think lucky strike goes white) you see other thread being used.  So if you want a "for sure" WWII patch, you want a greenback. Plus as collectors, any variation is a good variation!

Hello. Similar as a 4 skyhawk rudders pedals i believe  Thanks for sharing. Arnaud 

Thank you for the help.  If anyone has a MK1 scabbard they want to part with, let me know.

Please excuse a question from a non patch collector, i.e., a gather.   I have several "greenback patches", in part, 3rd ID, 9th ID, 29th ID, CONARC, and 82nd ABN w/o Airborne tab. What is the interest in "greenback patches" vice other patches?     All the patches above and the dozens of other patches I have are from the 1950's (my childhood collection) when almost everyone's dad had been in WWII and patches were traded like baseball cards.   TIA!