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Mare Island Submarine Battle Flags

Featured Replies

#1

Recently acquired from a long-time Vallejo resident. These were sold to an antique shop in Benicia CA in the 1960's after the flag loft at Mare Island shut down. Many of the flags from the loft were sold as salvage and made their way into the local communities and flag maker industry. Antique shop owners passed away with family selling building and all contents to new owner. Gentleman I acquired these from was hired by new building owner to remove and dispose of all contents.

He has one more flag I'm working on acquiring-USS Bream.

 

Blueback Flag.jpg

Gunnel Flag.jpg

Parche Flag.jpg

Sand Lance Flag.jpg

Sea Cat flag.jpg

Sea Devil Flag.jpg

Spadefish Flag.jpg

SS-413_SPOT.pdf

  • Author
#2

I have typewritten cards that were taped to the back of some of these describing the flag. Won't post them here as the war period language used may be offensive to some. 

Spot flag attached-did not load in first attempt.

Spot flag.jpg

#3

Amazing collection.

 

If the cards are actually from WW2 I see no reason why you shouldn’t post them as they are part of history.

 

If you use language that offends people that’s a different story.

#4

Amazing

  • Author
#5

Here are some of the cards that were taped to the back of the flags

subflagcards.jpg.6e9909965b774794d2cd0d39c7b4afce.jpg

sub flag cards 2.jpg

#6

Wow!

 

Kurt

#7

Amazing collection!

#8

What an amazing find. 
Thank you so much for sharing. 

#9

Talk about a time capsule. Great find.

Thanks for sharing.

Ken

#10

Thanks for posting these.  If you’d be willing to share photos detailing some of the stitching on the flags (especially of the flags without grommets) Id be interested in seeing them.  
 

Josh

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#11

Stictching 1.jpg

stitchiing 6.jpg

stitching 2.jpg

stitching 3.jpg

stitching 4.jpg

stitching 5.jpg

stitching 7.jpg

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#12

stitching 8.jpg

stitching 9.jpg

stitching 10.jpg

stitching 11.jpg

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#13

stitching 13.jpg

stitching 14.jpg

stitching 15.jpg

stitching 16.jpg

stitching 17.jpg

  • Author
#14

some of the close ups show the front stitching and some show some of the stitching on the back of the flag. These are all not double sided.

Most of the detail involves separate pieces of fabric cut and sewn into place. 

my favorite are the submarine shears and railings.

 

 

#15

Incredibly rare flags, so many fakes of these out there. Thanks for showing especially the close up shots. 

#16

Amazing finds, simply amazing.  Congrats

  • Author
#17

Thanks-was fortunate to have stumbled upon them while buying some new old stock commission pennants from the same yard. Was referred to this gentleman and we worked out a deal. 

#18

Thanks so much!  Full disclosure… I have a similar single sided sub flag that also came out of the same area.  It came directly from the deceased vets house in Vallejo.  I already had a strong suspicions it was produced during the war, definitely not post, due to the vets war record and the flag design.  
 

I also surmised the flag was produced at Mare Island or somewhere nearby given the refit location that matches with the war patrol number indicated on my flag.  I’d be interested in further comparisons in construction between your and my flags, but offline so the counterfeiters can’t learn from it.

  • 3 weeks later...
  • Author
#19

selling 7 of the flags on ebay. A collector said he was interested but balked at the price.

#20
3 hours ago, Subvetson said:

selling 7 of the flags on ebay. A collector said he was interested but balked at the price.

could you provide the link to the sale?

Steve 

#21

I just checked his ebay listings, nothing there. I'm guessing he received an offer off ebay. 

#22
1 hour ago, dhcoleterracina said:

I just checked his ebay listings, nothing there. I'm guessing he received an offer off ebay. 

What’s their name on eBay?

#23

ALMADENVIEW

  • Author
#24

I will check the listing tomorrows if not there, I will contact eBay 

#25

You have one listing posted that I can see.

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