28392c. (wig wag signal flag) U.S. Coast Guard Wig-Wag Signal c.1953-1966. Original white on red wig-wag signal flag dates from c.1953-1966 as it was found with a c.1953-1966 Coast Guard ensign at an estate of a retired Coast Guardsman. Flag appears to be nylon/wool blend and measures about 23” square, with ties on two corners. The oldest flag system associated with the US Army Signal Corps and later used by the Revenue Cutter Service, Coast Guard and Navy, is called Wig-wag. The name reflects the concept of back and forth movement as a means of signaling through motion. Flags used were white on red, red on white, or white on black, depending on the background colors. There were generally three sizes depending on signal distances – two, four, or six feet square. Wig-wag is the signaling system was developed for military field operations by Army surgeon Albert J. Myer prior to the Civil War. Myers’ Wig-wag system uses one flag for signaling – the position of the flags, left, right, front, represent the numerals 1, 2, 3 respectively and combinations of these numerals are used to convey the message. Flag is as original with cloth ties and is nearly unused except for very light fraying at the two outer corners. Dates before 1966. Rare. (VG+). $54.