Naval Ensign of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
This small, wool flag was a special variant naval ensign from the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The naval ensign of the USSR was created in 1935 and it was abolished in 1992 after the collapse of the USSR. It combined the traditional insignia of communism-the red star, hammer and sickle-with the white and blue colors of Imperial Russia's old tsarist war ensign.
During the Cold War, the Soviet Navy played an instrumental role as the premier surface force of the Warsaw Pact. This was a guard's ensign, awarded to ships with the honorary title "Guards". Their distinctive insignia was an augmentation of the ensign by adding a black and orange "Guard Ribbon", above the blue stripe. Interestingly the ribbon was in the colors of the Soviet Order of Glory, which intentionally had the same colors as the ribbon of the Imperial Russian, Cross of St. George.
Provenance: Acquired by the Louise Veninga Collection at Internet Auction.
ZFC Noteworthy Flag
Sources:
Union Of Soviet Socialist Republics, Naval Ensigns & Flags, 1935-92, Archive of the Colors, 1 May 2012, from: http://tmg110.tripod.com/soviet1.htm
Флаг командира ÑÐ¾ÐµÐ´Ð¸Ð½ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐºÐ¾Ñ€Ð°Ð±Ð»Ðµ, "Flags of the Russian Navy", 1 May 2012, from: http://www.navy.ru/symbols/anflag.htm
Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection
