Guidon 1796

Traditionally the regiments of Horse carried square cut Standards, and the dragoons carried Guidons, which were swallow-tailed like this one. However, in 1788 the 2nd Horse became the 5th Dragoon Guards and were, to their intense disappointment, classed as dragoons. This meant that they were required to carry Guidons, but as had already been decided, when the first 3 regiments of Horse converted in 1746, there was a compromise; there was to be one Standard per regiment and the remaining squadron Standards were to change to Guidons.
The 1751 Regulations had authorised 3 Standards for each regiment of Horse. The King's or First Standard to be of crimson damask and carried by the Colonel's Troop (right of the line). The other two Standards were to be in the colour of the regimental facings, so the 5th had green damask for their two squadron Standards, carried by the Lieutenant-Colonel's Squadron (left of the line) and the Major's Squadron (in the centre). These last two green Standards therefore were officially changed to Guidons in 1788, when the 2nd Horse became the 5th Dragoon Guards.
The green damask Guidon, here, has the Hanoverian horse in the middle on a crimson ground, surrounded by a Union wreath of roses, thistles and shamrocks. The Hanoverian white horse also features in two corners, also on crimson. The fringe around the edge appears to be all gold but in 1751 the Standards and Colours all had gold and silver fringes. There is no crown or royal cypher to indicate in which reign this Guidon was introduced, but the number 3 below the motto indicates that it was for the 3rd squadron. It was carried between 1788 and 1844, in which year Guidons were discontinued in Dragoon Guard Regiments.

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