WW2 German Nazi SS Runes Double Sided "Totenkopf" Skull Flag, Size 2' x 3' (Reproduction)
SKU: GERMAN SS RUNES WITH SKULL FLAG
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction
Availability: In-stock
Manufacturer: N/A
Date Manufactured: N/A
Model: SS RUNES
Size / Dimensions: 3'X2'
Materials / Construction: Cloth
Condition: Excellent
Price: $100.00
Seller Type: WW2C
Seller ID: JMW
Code: 30
Return Policy: 3-day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.
Description
This German WW2 SS Runes with Skull flag measures 2' x 3' and is crafted to a high standard. While marked 60x90, the flag is screen-printed on durable woven cotton fabric. It features a sturdy white canvas binding along the rope edge for secure display, with reinforced stitching on the remaining three edges for added durability. Designed with accurate proportions and sharp detailing, these are excellent reproduction examples that closely mirror the look and feel of the originals.
History
During the Second World War, the German Waffen-SS made use of a variety of distinctive banners and flags to symbolize its elite status, esprit de corps, and feared reputation. Among the most iconic and ominous examples is the double-sided SS Runes flag bearing the skull (Totenkopf) emblem.
Design and Symbolism
This particular flag was constructed of durable woven cotton, typically measuring around 2’ x 3’ (60 x 90 cm), though variations in size were known. It was double-sided, with the feared “SS” runes emblazoned prominently on one side, and the skull and crossbones (Totenkopf) on the reverse.
- SS Runes (??): A stylized representation of lightning bolts, chosen by SS founder Heinrich Himmler as a rune-inspired insignia denoting power, victory, and destruction.
- Totenkopf (Death’s Head): A symbol adopted from earlier German military traditions (including Prussian hussars and WWI units), it came to represent loyalty unto death, ruthless determination, and the terror of the SS.
Both sides were bordered with white canvas reinforcement along the rope edge, with machine-stitched hems along the remaining edges for durability. These flags were often produced in screen-printed form, allowing accurate reproduction of the details in quantity.
Use in the Field
Such flags were commonly:
- Displayed at SS barracks, field headquarters, or checkpoints to mark presence and authority.
- Carried during parades, rallies, and propaganda events, reinforcing the imagery of the SS as the Third Reich’s elite corps.
- Used in funerary or ceremonial contexts, draped over coffins or displayed at graves of fallen SS members.
The double-sided design ensured visibility regardless of how it was flown, a practical feature for use in both static display and mobile deployment.
Historical Context
The runes and skull together made a potent propaganda tool, combining mystical symbolism with a direct reference to mortality and ruthless service. To Allied soldiers and civilians alike, the appearance of such flags often signaled the presence of some of the Reich’s most committed and feared formations, such as the SS-Totenkopf Division or Waffen-SS units engaged in frontline combat.
