• How long have you been in business?
  A: We started in 1994 informally, and the official papers show 1 January 1995.

• What determines whether a flag is a museum quality or a reproduction?
  A: Basically, it is materials, research, and time.  I might have to visit a museum to inspect the original flag.  Some flags were made before sewing machines were invented, and museum quality flags of that era must be made by hand.  This takes considerable time.  Reproductions are flags that follow the pattern of the original (unless the customer wants something special), but are made using modern techniques.  Fabric may be synthetic or natural. 

  NOTE TO REENACTORS: Please be advised that low priced reproduction grade flags are NOT museum grade flags - they won't have highly detailed artwork, and the fabric colors will probably not match the original flag.  It makes no real sense to buy a museum grade flag for, say, $3000, take it out on the field, and have someone drop it in front of a horse.  On the other hand, if you insist on highly detailed flags, period natural fabric, and matched colors, then museum grade flags are required.  DO NOT ORDER AN IMPORTED REPRODUCTION GRADE FLAG EXPECTING TO GET A MUSEUM PIECE.  A special contract is required for reenactment organizations.

• Are the colors of your flags the same as the original?
  A: The question might better be, "Are they the same color as the original is now, or as it was then?"  Museum quality flags have materials that have been dyed in the original manor, or are certified by a textile historian or museum curator to be "accurate."  Flags that were made in the 18th or 19th centuries are seldom the same color today as they were then.  Photographs of flags often distort the actual colors; as an example, some American Civil War Union colors have cantons that are actually a brighter blue than appears in a photograph.  The same is true for regimental colors.  On reproduction grade flags our color selection is limited to what is commercially produced.  I try to use an appropriate color, but I do not guarantee a match.  Frankly, some museums have strict rules about how closely you can make the flag conform to the original.  RRGF always abides by the rules of the housing facility.  

• What materials do you use?
  A: Silk, cotton, wool, polyester, and nylon.  The silk is 100% silk, not a blend.  The wool is 19th century reproduction grade material, ON SPECIAL ORDER ONLY.  Cotton is either 19th century reproduction grade, or a blend of cotton and synthetic material.  Thread may be polyester or cotton covered polyester, or 100% natural thread, either mercerized or unmercerized, as is appropriate (museum quality cotton, silk, or linen thread).

• How many flags do you stock?
  A: None.  

• How long does it take to receive a historic flag?
  A: That depends upon the flag.  Civil War Reproduction grade flags usually take between 4 to 6 weeks from the time we receive your payment.  Museum flags may take significantly longer, depending on the requirements of the job.  However, I cannot guarantee how long it will take to get your flags.  I can say that everyone who has ordered a flag from me has received it.  

• Are military streamers available to vets, collectors, or individuals?
  A:  Yes.  According to TIOH, because they are not coming directly from the government I may sell them to the public.  HOWEVER: there are some stipulations, so be sure to call or E-mail.

• Why don't you advertise prices?
  A: Because people have different requirements for their flags.  The "same" flag might be made in nylon, wool, or silk; be a reproduction or museum grade; may or may not include artwork or other extras.  It just isn't fair to the customer to advertise a price and expect that price to cover all circumstances.  Note: We do advertise prices on certain flags, such as Service Flags, US Flags, and special items we have have at hand.

• Where are the flags actually made?
  A: Nearly all of our flags are made in USA, either by me personally or by subcontractors.  We may occasionally import a flag body for painting (note: I do not deal with Communist China).  

• How many people do you employ?
  A: One - me.  

• Are those thumbnail pictures all of the flags you have sold?
  A: No.  Because of copyright and reproduction agreements, many of the museum quality flags are not shown.  Some flags were made with the express understanding that I would not use the image in commercial advertising.  

• Why do you recommend other flag makers?  Isn't that self-defeating?
  A: We have several colleagues in this business that do very good work and often can produce flags for less than we charge, depending on the situation.  In return, we often can supply their customers with flags for less than they charge.  I don't have a problem recommending people that I know do good work.  I have enough work of my own.  Also, it's good business to help a person get the flag they want.  

• What if I commission a flag from you and I don't like it?
  A: RRGF warrants customer satisfaction on commissioned flags ORDERED BY INDIVIDUALS and made in the USA by RRGF; if within 30 days from the date you receive your flag you decide to return it, RRGF will, upon receipt of the flag, refund your money, including shipping charge and tax (Pennsylvania).  All other flags, including flags made in the USA FOR RRGF, are ALL SALES FINAL.  

• I've noticed that you and other flag makers charge a lot of money for your 'museum' grade flags; why?
  A: Often the material must be custom made, there may be substantial artwork, and they may have to be made by hand.  The economy of scale does not apply here; i.e., I'm not making a lot of one flag to sell to the public.  Also, this is not a hobby.  As I professional, I have considerable time and money invested in this business, and I'm not ashamed to state that I wish to recoup the cost.  Last, the grocery store has informed me that they still charge for milk and bread.

• Can I get flags that have nothing on them so I can paint them myself?
  A: Sure.  I'll be happy to help you get the flag body you need; either through me or another business.

• I'm still not sure: who are some of your clients?
  A: Unless I ask for permission to identify them we keep individual clients names confidential, but we have made flags for the Maine State Museum, the National Civil War Museum, the Museum of the Confederacy, the Mississippi State Museum, and many more museums and historic sites.  Reenactors, collectors, and certain movie projects also commission work from us.  Hundreds of military service families have purchased our licensed Service Flags.  We are also a major player in the military customs and traditions area, and we've sold products to all the US military services.

• What are your payment terms, and can I make payments?
  A: I require payment in advance, and your flag ships upon completion.  You may pay using MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover through PayPal, over the phone by calling the office, or you may send a check or money order.  Unless you are an established customer we wait for personal checks to clear the bank before shipping.  I regret to say that I do not finance flags, so making payments is not an option.  

  • (NOTE: For certain businesses, governments, and qualified non-profit organizations (except reenactor organizations) I will entertain open accounts, but call or write for details first.  Payment for sales to military organizations or government agencies are handled either by government credit cards or under contract terms that apply to sales from small business, veteran owned companies.  See CCR for details.  SALES TO BUSINESSES, GOVERNMENTS, AND QUALIFIED NON-PROFITS ARE FINAL.

(home)