Don't burn it, but lets make money

[Alex K]

I don't know for sure, but suspect, that the fact that the volunteers came from various different parts of the country, has something to do with the use of the colours for the unified state - but you are way more of an expert there.

It was much more of a banality. It was their uniforms. Black, golden buttons, red collar and butresses.

Yes, I know (as I say above) - I meant why did those uniform colors become the flag of the unified German republics, and might that have been helped by the fact that it was more than just a Prussian effort.

[abaris]

Yes, I know (as I say above) - I meant why did those uniform colors become the flag of the unified German republics, and might that have been helped by the fact that it was more than just a Prussian effort.

But sometimes it's as profane as cheapness. Just as with Nelson's Victory. The main color black came cheap. I don't doubt that there was some kind of tradition and it's pretty known that German nationalism rose during the Napoleonic wars. But the Lützows were a Prussian unit. The fact that others joined up as well, doesn't change the fact. It's more along the lines of the International brigades during the Spanish civil war.

The colors made it into German tradition because of the Lützows and because they were perceived as some kind of freedom fighters.

[Pat Mustard]

Homemade, yes. But I wasn't aware that it was all Prussian?

These guys. The so called Lützower Freikorps.

Couldn't for the life of me remember Lutzow's Corps.

[Wyrd of Gawd]

The current American flag design is a variation of the English/British East India company flags.  http://www.loeser.us/flags/revolution.html