This lance pennant on display at the Imperial War Museum was picked up on the Battlefield of The Marne in 1914.
From 1889 all cavalry units of the Imperial German Army carried lances and each was fitted with a pennant, the colours indicating the state from which the regiment was recruited. The two regiments of “Death’s Head Hussars” were however the exception, having a skull and crossbones (Totenkopf) design. That of 1 Leib-Husaren-Regiment Nr.1 adopted a white Totenkopf on black, whilst 2 Leib-Husaren-Regiment “Königen Viktoria von Preussen” Nr.2 featured reversed colours, black on white. On active service the pennant was conventionally rolled around the shaft of the lance.
Photo source: © IWM FLA 426.