The Burke Sharp Shooters were active by November 1860, and were formally mustered in April 18 or 19, 1861. According to a post war historical sketch they mustered two “markers,” which if correct could infer a company flag existed then, as well as the two flank markers. I doubt that the flag in question was “made in 1860” as reported by the article, as it would predate the Confederacy and any of the eleven stars.
On May 27, 1861, the company was presented with a(nother?) flag (this one?) on Tybee Island. I don’t know if the pattern shown is consistent with that date or not, that’s you’re area of expertise, but at least there had been eleven Confederate States for a few weeks by then. The Columbus Guards of the same regiment received their flag June 15, and it was a piece of art. It was of white satin, had the State seal in the center, and included gilt Latin phraseology and other embellishments. On July 6, the Stewart Grays, also of the 2nd Ga, received a flag similar to the Columbus Guards’ and only slightly less ornate. I don’t want to throw stones, but the un-auctioned flag just isn’t in the same category as these two - seems much more plain and utilitarian.
I know of four companies from the 2nd that received colors before leaving Georgia, the Banks Guard being the only one not previously mentioned. Others may have had them as well that I haven’t found. I don’t know how a Colonel would select one company’s flag over three or nine others’ to represent the regiment, but any issue with this in the 2nd Georgia was resolved on August 9, 1861, when the regiment received a large regimental flag that was floated from a 60’ high pole over their camp, then outside of Richmond.
I don't know when we last synchronized flag material - let me know if there's anything new to you in this write up, and I'll get it to you.
Andrew Johnson