Imperial German naval ensign 1903-21 pattern from SMS 'Moltke' (1912). The ensign is made of wool bunting with a cotton hoist, and is machine stitched with the design printed. The selvedge edges on the top and bottom sides are re-enforced with machine stitching. Stencilled on the hoist: 'Sturm Flg 1,57 x 0, 95' and the initial 'W' with a crown above. A rope and Inglefield clip are attached to hoist the ensign.

The flag has a white field with a black cross overall, offset to the hoist and fimbriated white and black. The Prussian eagle on a white disc with a black edge in the centre. In the canton— a black, white, red flag bearing a black Iron Cross.

The battlecruise 'Moltke' took part in the bombardment of Hartlepool, Yarmouth and Lowestoft and the battle of Jutland. At the end of the war she was interned at Scapa Flow and was scuttled there ten months later. The ensign is likely to have been acquired at this time. The German ensign was hoisted during the internment of the German Fleet on 21 November 1918. Admiral Beatty then ordered that after flag parade, it should not be hoisted again. At the same time naval inspection committees searched the German vessels for arms. The German ensigns were re-hoisted just before the fleet was scuttled. In the interim there was an illicit trade in souvenirs between the Royal Navy and the German ships. 'Moltke' capsized and reached the bottom almost upside down so the ensign must have been acquired prior to her scuttle. She was raised, docked and scrapped in 1928 — still upside down.