US Cavalry Standard Issue Swallowtail Guidon Flag 1863 – 1865 – Sewn and Embroidered Cotton 2×3 and 3×5
The actual size of the flag in the picture is 3×5. The sewing and embroidery work on the 2×3 is the same.
A guidon is a rectangular-shaped flag with a triangle cut out of the fly end, thus creating a forked tail or swallowtail design. In the 19th century, US cavalry companies and mounted artillery batteries carried guidons. They were carried into battle as well as in official ceremonies. On January 18, 1862, the United States Army issued General Order #4 stating that cavalry guidons would be patterned after the United States flag with stars and stripes, 5-pointed gold stars in two concentric circles, with one star in each corner of the blue canton. The number of stars was also to correspond with the current US flag at the time. The order specified embroidered stars, but it often became necessary for cavalry units in the field to paint the stars with gold paint because of the lack of access to a seamstress, tailor, or flagmaker who could embroider the stars onto the flag. The 35-star pattern guidon would have been issued between 1683 and 1865 as a 35th star was added to the American flag on July 4th, 1863, to recognize West Virginia as the 35th state being admitted to the Union on June 20th, 1863. A 36th star was added two years later on July 4th, 1865, recognizing Nevada’s becoming the 36th state on October 31st, 1864, thus rendering the 35-star flag obsolete. In 1863, Army regulations were amended to state that “there shall be inscribed upon the colors or guidons of all regiments and batteries in the service of the United States the names of the battles in which they have borne a meritorious part.” These were commonly referred to as battle honors and were typically painted onto the guidons.
This flag is a reproduction that closely resembles the standard-issue cavalry guidon carried by various Union Army Cavalry units during the Civil War. The exact size and materials are not the same as the original flags. All of the artwork is visible on both sides of the flag.
Cotton flags feature a very heavy, luxurious look and feel. They are commonly used indoors because of their old-world, handcrafted appearance, but can also be flown outdoors for parades and special events, though they are not very durable or fade-resistant when exposed to the elements. Cotton flags are also suitable for tea staining and/or framing and hanging indoors.
- Heavy, soft cotton fabric
- Fully sewn construction
- Heavy canvas header with brass grommets
Available sizes
- 2×3 – Actual size 27″ x 39″
- 3×5
