KINGDOM OF NORWAY

NAVAL RANK FLAGS  •  1875-1905

In 1875, Norwegian naval rank flags were again revised. The old practice of flying the 1844 war ensign from different masts according to rank was no longer practical as steam replaced sail and warships' sailing rig was reduced or eliminated. The 1875 saluting instructions introduced four new flags with insignia in the lower fly according to rank: crossed batons for the commanding admiral of the Navy and three stars, two stars or one star for full admirals, vice-admirals and rear-admirals respectively. The 1858 senior officer's flag was now to be used as the commodore's broad pennant, and a new pennant with the union mark at the hoist was introduced for senior officers. In 1898, this pennant was changed to one in which the union mark appeared in the top hoist only. The plain red 1858 pennant for warrant officers was retained. A similar range of rank flags was introduced at the same time for Sweden. The 1898 rank flags were abolished and replaced by "pure" national designs when the union between Norway and Sweden was dissolved in 1905.

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