State and war flag of the Russian Socialist Federal Soviet Republic from 1918-37. The flag is made of wool bunting with a linen hoist and is hand and machine sewn. A rope halyard is attached. The flag is red, with the yellow painted letters 'RSFSR' in the Cyrillic alphabet within a border in the canton. An oil-based paint has been used for this purpose. The letters stand for 'Russian Federal Soviet Republic'. An illegible maker's name is stencilled on the hoist.

The ensign belonged to Admiral Sir Walter Cowan.(1871-1956) and was taken from a Russian vessel off Kronstadt in 1919. Cowan commanded the light cruiser squadron in the Baltic throughout that year. The ships in Kronstadt harbour were attacked by British Coastal Motor Boats on 18 August 1919.