old rope on old flag ...restore, or replace?

[alana]

is there anything i can do to help this dried rope of this old (? 1950s) flag,
i think it's linen,
i'm also interested in any care tips to clean the flag,
not soiled, just aged,
i feel it needs a soak in something mild to clear off light strains.
it's been sitting in a plastic bag for decades,
it's intact and i thought i might hang it but it needs some care!

back to the rope:
it might be beyond restoration,
i might just snip the stitches, and take it out,
but first interested in what you think should be done  😊

thanks

🇦🇺

[Sweeney]

The rope looks like manila, badly frayed at the end but it might be possible to splice a fresh piece in after trimming off the frayed end - worth a try perhaps. As you don't have much to play with I would give it only 2 tucks then serve over the splice tightly with some natural cord (flax is good and also easy to get in the UK at least - and it is also linen albeit by another name). For the flag I would use a gentle soap of the kind sold for woollens and other delicate fabrics.  Then try and dry flat (eg on a piece of plastic netting) without heat.

Hope this helps - best of luck!

Sweeney

[alana]

The rope looks like manila, badly frayed at the end but it might be possible to splice a fresh piece in after trimming off the frayed end - worth a try perhaps. As you don't have much to play with I would give it only 2 tucks then serve over the splice tightly with some natural cord (flax is good and also easy to get in the UK at least - and it is also linen albeit by another name). For the flag I would use a gentle soap of the kind sold for woollens and other delicate fabrics.  Then try and dry flat (eg on a piece of plastic netting) without heat.

Hope this helps - best of luck!

Sweeney

🔥 thanks so much Sweeney

i love it when i ask the right people !!
flag says thanks too 

[PatDucey]

I agree with Sweeney, looks like manila, and not in too bad of shape that it would need to be replaced.  It looks like there is enough length that you could get an eye splice in the frayed end, and have good rope in the eye.  Do you know how the frayed end was finished before it was frayed?  Some flagpole systems utilize hooks on the halyard that are connected to grommets on the flag.  It looks like this flag may have been adapted to be flown with this rope header.  It probably has an interesting story.

[alana]

I agree with Sweeney, looks like manila, and not in too bad of shape that it would need to be replaced.  It looks like there is enough length that you could get an eye splice in the frayed end, and have good rope in the eye.  Do you know how the frayed end was finished before it was frayed?  Some flagpole systems utilize hooks on the halyard that are connected to grommets on the flag.  It looks like this flag may have been adapted to be flown with this rope header.  It probably has an interesting story.

interesting points, thanks PatD,
i'll have to start asking the rellys more questions about its story
(prior to me packing it away)

um, splices, i've never done them but yous think it can be salvaged,
which is good news to me,
no idea of the finish of it before fraying,
i thought it'd be symmetrical to the other end,
but evidently i have no clue,
i will formulate my further questions,
or ... great if you have a pic of existing finish of same   

i haven't got anything to compare it to!,
i'll have a look on the internet

[alana]

browsing 'flag rope',
i came across this striking ropey flag,
but ...
i don't think we should be wiping on feet on a flag  !

i thought maybe it's not a door mat,
but i saw in another picture - it is a door mat   

[capellagroup]

I agree. One's National Flag should not be used as a doormat.  Or a cap, or a towel....or anything other than a flag.