Signal Corps Impression..need help with the flag

[ROBemis]

Cheers all,
For a program at my museum I'd like to put together a wig wag signal flag. I've seen images of a number of them but never one in person. I know the sizes and kit, what I'm looking for is the weight of the cotton/linen....and if anyone has had experience, which of these two materials were the most common.
I've also seen them in two piece, color in color, construction and 5 piece construction. Any documentation on Union vs. Confederate construction would be most appreciated!

Cheers,
Robert Bemis
Cape Fear Living History Society

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Signal Corps Impression..need help with the flag

Chris Daley has some photos and details of a set of four originals at the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, PA here on the forum. Just do a search.

He described them as being made from "cotton bunting" however from the photos they actually look like cotton drill (note the twill weave). You can find natural or white cotton drill at most fabric stores but for the red you might look around for a "bottom weight" 100% cotton fabric similar in weight to the drill.

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: Signal Corps Impression..need help with the flag

Robert,

I saw John Spicer sell an original one, white border with red square in the center, on Saturday. You can get his email address from his website, championhillrelics.com. Hope that helps.

[Kanawha Riflemen]

Re: Signal Corps Impression..need help with the flag

Hello Robert,

I found a thread here on AC by Chris Daley who actually examined signal flags. You can check it out by using the following link. http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...t=Signal+Flags

John A. Miller
South Mountain State Battlefield
Monterey Pass Battlefield

[ROBemis]

Re: Signal Corps Impression..need help with the flag

Lads!
Thanks for the replys! Horrible that I'd not think to examine the sites archives for info first! My fault!

Look forward to seeing the lot of you on the field.

Cheers,
Robert Bemis
Cape Fear Living History Society

[Indianabugles]

Re: Signal Corps Impression..need help with the flag

I made a set out of cotton on the same guidelines as Brian but washed the material in the washer with no detergent to get the brightness out of it . I asked myself if they were one, two or three peice construction and I found examples of two and three peice, not i9ncluding center square. There is also another flag that is back with a white square as well in the full kit.