Looking For US Made United States Flags

[JUNKFLYBOY]

most VFW post sell very good quality AMERICAN FLAGS, that is where I got mine

[Zoidislander]

You can mail order Annin from Fisheries Supply, Seattle Washington U.S.A..

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Hi, Everybody,

We have just taken delivery of what was sold as 3 US flags, and they were made in China. The proportions are not the same as the US flags we've had before, and the fabric turns out to be fragile (lasts about 1.5 months in our use, compared with 12 months).

Therefore, I would like to find some US source for US made flags, and I would like to know how you fly yours.

Our use is that since it is lit at night, we leave ours up 24/7, along with our Australian courtesy flag, which is up on a similar schedule, also Chinese made, by the way, but lasts roughly 6 months.

I am looking for quality and durability here, and I guess I'll have to pay for it, too, but I am also very tired of 3 flags every 3 months or so. By the way, the fabric on the Chinese flags stays sort of crisp, but it breaks along the stitching lines. They are sewn, not printed, and the fabric breaks long before fading occurs. Most of the damage starts at the upper outboard corner, and works its way down the stripes. I had tried reinforcing the stitch seams with ptfe thread, and while it supports the fabric seam, the fabric still blows out between the seams.

Rant over. Thanks very much for your suggestions.

Ann

Ann, Betsey Ross died some time ago. I believe there is a US manufacturer of US flags. Seems the co. was in the mid west? Ohio comes to mind.

[Mikado]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Hi, Everybody,

We have just taken delivery of what was sold as 3 US flags, and they were made in China. The proportions are not the same as the US flags we've had before, and the fabric turns out to be fragile (lasts about 1.5 months in our use, compared with 12 months).

Therefore, I would like to find some US source for US made flags, and I would like to know how you fly yours.

Our use is that since it is lit at night, we leave ours up 24/7, along with our Australian courtesy flag, which is up on a similar schedule, also Chinese made, by the way, but lasts roughly 6 months.

I am looking for quality and durability here, and I guess I'll have to pay for it, too, but I am also very tired of 3 flags every 3 months or so. By the way, the fabric on the Chinese flags stays sort of crisp, but it breaks along the stitching lines. They are sewn, not printed, and the fabric breaks long before fading occurs. Most of the damage starts at the upper outboard corner, and works its way down the stripes. I had tried reinforcing the stitch seams with ptfe thread, and while it supports the fabric seam, the fabric still blows out between the seams.

Rant over. Thanks very much for your suggestions.

Ann

Hi Ann,

Annin Flags is the oldest flagmaker in the USA. 100% american made.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[JPA Cate]

Thanks to everyone who has replied, so far.

I am hoping for a 2 x 3 flag for our boat, a 3 x 5 is a little large, I will have difficulty getting enough tension on the luff.

Thanks again for helping.

Ann

[CarlF]

+1 for Annin

US made since 1847. Pictures and address of their factories are on their web site. - six generation family owned business.

https://www.annin.com

And they really are better flags. The star embroidery is beautifully done.

I like their Tough-Tex material as it lasts just about forever even on a boat - but two things to know. It's heavy enough that it won't fly in a light wind and the colors are more muted than the "day glo" red/white/blue on many flags. Looks more authentic to me but this may be a matter of taste.

[hellosailor]

Ann-
It is kinda Catch-22. There are US makers, but the flag fabric itself is a mixed choice. Some folks actually WANT light fabric, so it deploys fully in light wind. Other folks want heavier so it is more durable--but then it just hangs down if you don't have good wind.
Some folks want embroidered stars, or sewn stripes, not just dye. Makes it heavier and costlier.
These are among the reasons why NEW FLAGS are flown every day over the US Capitol Building. They're used just once--and then put up for sale, to anyone who wants a flag flown on that particular day. Eliminates the "wears out" issue.
You'll find the correct dimensions and colors listed online, but IIRC there is also an acceptable range of variation in the dimensions.
Current Official US Flag Specifications
Eisenhower put up the most recent specifications for government use--but as noted, those DO NOT BIND on civilian users.

IIRC Wool is the most durable fabric (but heavy), followed by silk (expensive) then cotton and the varied polyesters. Might be worth trying flags from 3 different sources, see if any one is particularly better for you.

Keeping it lit up at night, nowhere near as much fun as firing off a salute when you raise or lower it.(G)

[Fore and Aft]

Hi Anne

If you are still around Brisbane Palmer flags on the Gold Coast make their own flags. I purchased a really well made Aussie flag from then and the guy behind the counter was real helpful.
Flag makers manufacturers - Australia : National flags, custom flags, corporate - Palmer Flags

[mayberrybfd]

Findley Ohio is flag city USA Any size you could imagine

[HopCar]

Annin flags went to the Moon. Nothing more American than that.
My old company sells Annin flags.Domestic

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by HopCar

Annin flags went to the Moon. Nothing more American than that.
My old company sells Annin flags.Domestic

Thank you, HopCar, do you know if they ship to Australia?

Ann

[a64pilot]

Most US flags sold are of incorrect dimensions.
The correct dimension is I think 1 to 1.9
I do not know why flags are sold that are incorrect, but a 3X5 flag is not correct.
Minor point maybe, but a quality flag will be among other things, correctly dimensioned.
We fly ours on the port aft stay as with our Solar Array, the normal way is not possible.
Ours is also lit by a secondary anchor light I installed being paranoid that the one on top of the mast just isn’t enough to be seen sometimes.

[HopCar]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Thank you, HopCar, do you know if they ship to Australia?

Ann

We shipped to Oz all the time when I owned it. A flag should be easy. Just mail it in a padded envelope.

Contact victor@hopkins-carter.com and tell him what you want.

[Mikado]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Thank you, HopCar, do you know if they ship to Australia?

Ann

Amazon ships to AU

https://www.amazon.com/Annin-Flagmak...nnin+2%27+flag

[JPA Cate]

Thanks very much, guys.
@A64pilot: Actually, I am slowly coming around to the point of view that it is best to bring our flags in at night. It is a PITA after all the years of doing otherwise, but it will help them last longer.

Ann