Imperial German National Flag (Schwarz-Weiß-Rot) Patriotic Stickpin

Imperial German National Flag (Schwarz-Weiß-Rot) Patriotic Stickpin – WWI Era

A vibrant and symbolic piece of history, this stickpin features the horizontal tricolor of the German Empire. Whether worn by a civilian in a show of wartime solidarity or by a veteran on his return from the front, this pin was a bold declaration of national identity during the height of the Kaiser’s reign.

The Black-White-Red (Schwarz-Weiß-Rot) flag was the official national flag of the German Empire from 1892 until the fall of the monarchy in 1918. It combined the black and white of Prussia with the red and white of the Hanseatic League cities. During World War I, patriotic jewelry exploded in popularity; "Flaggen-Pins" like this were inexpensive yet powerful ways for the German public to display their "Treue" (loyalty) to the state.

• The Flag: A rectangular miniature flag, often depicted with a slight "wave" or "ripple" to simulate fabric in the wind.
• The Colors: Finished in hard cold enamel or cloisonné:
• Top Stripe: Jet Black (Prussia).
• Middle Stripe: Opaque White.
• Bottom Stripe: Deep Crimson Red (Hanseatic League/Brandenburg).
• Material: Typically struck in brass or tombac with a gold-washed or silvered frame around the enamel.
• The Pin: Mounted on the standard long knurled (twisted) stickpin shaft, ensuring it wouldn’t slip from the wearer's lapel or tie.

The pin is in excellent condition. The most important factor for these pins is the enamel; in this example, there are no chips, "flea bites," or cracks, and the colors remain as vivid as the day they were fired. The metal trim shows a light, even patina that confirms its age without detracting from the display.