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A COMPANY "C" 4TH MARINES UNOFFICIAL WWII GUIDON. A pieced felt and rayon guidon, alternating yellow and red diagonal stripes, reading left to right "C / Animal / [bulldog] / Aggression / 4" with "USMC" lettered vertically on the fly end. image 1
A COMPANY "C" 4TH MARINES UNOFFICIAL WWII GUIDON. A pieced felt and rayon guidon, alternating yellow and red diagonal stripes, reading left to right "C / Animal / [bulldog] / Aggression / 4" with "USMC" lettered vertically on the fly end. image 2
Property from the Zaricor Flag Collection: The 20th Century
Lot 220

A COMPANY "C" 4TH MARINES UNOFFICIAL WWII GUIDON.
A pieced felt and rayon guidon, alternating yellow and red diagonal stripes, reading left to right "C / Animal / [bulldog] / Aggression / 4" with "USMC" lettered vertically on the fly end.

21 November 2023, 10:00 EST
New York

US$5,000 - US$7,000

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A COMPANY "C" 4TH MARINES UNOFFICIAL WWII GUIDON.

A pieced felt and rayon guidon, alternating yellow and red diagonal stripes, reading left to right "C / Animal / [bulldog] / Aggression / 4" with "USMC" lettered vertically on the fly end. Minor soiling and age toning.
Provenance: Vernacular WWWII construction by unidentified U.S. Marines, 1942/44; acquired from estate of U.S. Marine by The War Museum, New York, 1980s; sold Bonhams, New York, to Zaricor Flag Collection, 2013.

This unofficial guidon was likely used as an informal decoration to boost morale. The inscription "animal aggression" paired with the head of a bulldog wearing a helmet references the USMC mascot, the "Devil Dog," a nickname attributed to German fighters who coined it after their first engagement with the USMC in 1918. The 4th referred here could be the 4th Marine Raider Battalion (1942-44), the 4th Marine Regiment (disbanded 1942, reformed 1944) or, less likely, the 4th Marine Division (reserve division).

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