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Thurgovian Cantonal Shooting Association (Thurgau canton, Switzerland)

Thurgauer Kantonalschützenverband (TKSV)

Thurgauer Kantonalschützenverband (TKSV)
Communal and other sections
- Thurgovian Veterans Shooting Association
- Schützen Thunbachtal

See also:

Thurgauer Kantonalschützenverband (TKSV)

Flag since 2010

image located by Martin Karner
(picture, source > gallery)

Logo

image located by Martin Karner
(source)

The TKSV was founded on 31 August 1835. Its first flag, which was lost, was donated in 1836 by the French heir to the throne, Charles-Louis Napoléon Bonaparte (see below).
He lived in exile in Arenenberg castle in Thurgau canton, was a co-founder of the Association and held its presidency and honorary presidency in 1838/39 (He received the
honorary citizenship from the Canton [Salenstein commune] and thus became Swiss citizen; he was Swiss Army artillery officer and later became emperor Napoleon III from 1852–70).
The current flag is the sixth flag in the Association's history, it was introduced in 2010 on occasion of the 175th anniversary. (website)
Martin Karner, 20 June 2025

Former Flags

Fifth Flag (1985–2010)

image by Historisches Museum Thurgau

172×159 cm

Fourth Flag (1935–1985)

source: Thurgauische Schützen-Chronik 1835–1935
(photo by Historisches Museum Thurgau)

146×158 cm

Third Flag (1883–1935)

source: Thurgauische Schützen-Chronik 1835–1935
(source: [1]) (picture)

Second Flag (1851–1883, obverse)

source: Thurgauische Schützen-Chronik 1835–1935

Replica of First Flag (1836–1851, reverse)

image by Historisches Museum Thurgau [2]

This flag is a replica (20th c., 102×108 cm) of the first flag from 1836, donated by Louis Napoleon (see above). Its design follows the Thurgovian battalion flags of the early 19th century (cf. our photo from a Battalion Flag from 1810). The jubilee book Thurgauische Schützen-Chronik 1835–1935 from 1935 reports that Louis Napoleon's mother Hortense had embroidered the words "Eintracht macht stark" (harmony makes strong) on the Flag (which must have been on the obverse, not visible here).
In the protocols of 1844 and 1847 larger amounts of money for repairs of the flag are reported. The overall condition of the flag must have become quite bad, which most likely contributed to its further fate. The last mention of the flag was made in an Argovian newspaper article about the Federal Shooting in Aarau in July 1849. Besides, there were rumours and jokes that the Thurgovian shooters were not allowed into the city with their flag. What had happened? In the same year, Louis Napoleon, now President of France, had brought about the destruction of the democratic Roman Republic and helped to restore the reactionary Papal States. In the liberal Swiss cantons, including Aargau and Thurgau, this led to great disappointment and rejection of Louis Napoleon. When the new flag of the Thurgovian Association was introduced in 1851, apparently nobody asked about the old flag anymore, it no longer appears in the protocols. The reasons for its disappearance could be a combination of damage and indifference towards it.

[1] Hans-Rudolf Wettstein: 150 Jahre Thurgauischer Kantonal-Schützenverein, 1985
[2] We would like to thank Mrs. Monika Gamper, Sirnach for her valuable support in acquiring the photos from the Historical Museum and her enquiries at the location.