VMI88 Posted May 21, 2016 Share #1 Posted May 21, 2016 I picked up this framed F Troop, 17th Cavalry guidon today - unfortunately there was no provenance. The guidon itself measures about 16 1/2" x 24". It appears to exhibit genuine light age staining but is in excellent condition overall. Instead of a sleeve for a staff it has three sewn cloth ties. I've tried to take good pictures but it's a little difficult with the glare off the glass. The 17th Cavalry was activated in 1916 and deactivated in 1921 but I don't think this guidon is that old. It was reactivated in 1957 with F troop being assigned to the 196th Infantry Brigade in Vietnam. After returning from Vietnam the unit was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division and continues to serve today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VMI88 Posted May 21, 2016 Author Share #2 Posted May 21, 2016 Here are close-ups of some of the construction details: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
124cav Posted May 22, 2016 Share #3 Posted May 22, 2016 Top shelf! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted May 22, 2016 Share #4 Posted May 22, 2016 That is sweet. The letters/numbers look theater made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VMI88 Posted May 22, 2016 Author Share #5 Posted May 22, 2016 Thanks - I'd like to think it was Vietnam-made. F/17 served in Vietnam from 1966-1972 and claims to be the last ground cavalry unit to conduct operations in country. There's a website at http://www.ftrp17cav196.com/ with additional information. They do picture a guidon used in country (image from their website below) but it's not exactly like mine. It could even be a US-manufactured version: the detail just isn't good enough to tell. The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association website (http://museum.vhpa.org) shows a couple of guidons from air cavalry units that appear to be theater made. This one is reported to have been presented to the commander of A Troop, 7th Squadron, First Cavalry: The letters are somewhat stylized, though not as much as mine, and it has a sleeve rather than cloth ties. Otherwise it looks pretty similar. And here's one from the same website for Gun Platoon, H Troop, 10th Cavalry that uses a different lettering style but does have ties: Hopefully some of the forum experts can help me identify mine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted May 25, 2016 Share #6 Posted May 25, 2016 Very nice Guidon, and thanks for the unit link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Jerry Posted May 26, 2016 Share #7 Posted May 26, 2016 I think these smaller ones with ties were used on vehicle antennae whips and things. Neat piece! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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