Established by Alexander Hamilton in 1790 as the Revenue Marine service, the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service (U.S.R.C.S.) was initially the only armed American naval service, predating the establishment of the U.S. Navy by 8 years. The U.S.R.C.S.'s main mission was enforcing U.S. import duties, while also protecting against piracy. The flag offered here is a fine example similar to those flown from U.S.R.C.S. ships from its establishment until becoming a part of the U.S. Coast Guard in 1915. The flag itself does not bear a maker's mark but shows the typical design with 16 vertical stripes (12 present), stylized eagle in the canton under an arch of 13 stars, and has a heavy linen heading with two brass grommets. It measures approximately 59 x 66 inches (likely originally approximately 80 inches on the fly), with about 3 1/2 of the original stripes absent due to service wear. Provenance: The Saloga Collection