Sabretache 1799

This drawing was made by Hawkes's military tailors but no actual example has come to light. It is dated 27th Oct 1799 and identified as 5th Dragoon Guards because of the running White Horse and the regimental motto VESTIGIA NULLA RETRORSUM. The backing cloth is green and the lace gold. The cypher is that of George III and his crown is in the middle. It is unusual in that it is dated very early, and is also light dragoon in shape. Some doubt has been cast on the date by W Y Carman because the regiment wore yellow facings from 1788 to 1800, at which date they were altered to the pre-1788 green. However the regiment were never happy with their yellow facings and may have had forewarning of the change back to green. There are two other drawings made by Hawkes that conform more to the heavy cavalry 5-sided shape. The first one is dated 1805 after the title Princess Charlotte of Wales's was conferred. The Princess's coronet is above the new title and the King's cypher GR is below. The second one dated c1812 has the king's crown above the cypher PCW and the Prince of Wales feathers below.

Regimental details | Sabretaches