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The Military Horse

A Collection of US Cavalry Distinctive Unit Insignia

A fine collection of cavalry distinctive unit insignias, shared by Dallas Freeborn. To see the original posting and discussion, click here.

Most of these 1st Cav. Div. DIs were not approved by the Institute of Heraldry but were worn by the units. This one was made by N.S. Meyer of New York and is a pinback (P/B)
" — 1st Cavalry Division Commander & Staff

This one was made by Amcraft (American Metal Crafts Co.) and is a P/B. Another version was made by Meyer and has a black bend instead of the blue.
" — 1st Cav. Div. HQ Troop

Note the odd horse head. This DI was supplied by A.H. Dondero of Washington, D.C. who was a major supplier of early DIs. It is a P/B.
" — 1st Cav. Brigade Staff

This is another version of the above insignia and was made by Meyer. It has a different horse head and is a screwback (S/B).
" — DSC1st Cav. Bde. Staff

This is the same design as the 1st Bde. but with a different color horse head. This was made by Meyer and is a S/B. As with most of the 1st Cav. Div. pieces, it was not approved but was worn.
" — 2nd Cav. Bde. Staff

This one has a different shaped horse head which is also a different color. It is a S/B and is not hallmarked.
" — 2nd Cav. Bde. Staff

Was worn by Signal Corps personnel attached to the 1st Cav. Div. It was made by Meyer and is a S/B — 1st Signal Troop

Worn by personnel charged with care of the Division's animals. It was made by Meyer and is a S/B.
" — 1st Veterinary Troop

This is a P/B and was supplied by Dondero. Again it was not approved but worn. — 1st Ordnance Troop

This design was approved by the Institute of Heraldry. It is a P/B and was supplied by A.H. Dondero.
" — 16th Quartermaster Squadron

Unlike the 1st Cavalry Div., the 2nd only had one DI for all Divisional HQ and staff personnel. This piece was made by Meyer and is a P/B
" — 2nd Cavalry Division Staff

Again one DI for HQ and staff personnel. The 23rd was a National Guard Division and the DI bears the crest of the Alabama N.G. The piece was supplied by Dondero and is S/B.
" — 23rd Cavalry Division Staff

This unit consisted of personnel from both New Jersey and New York NG. This piece is a S/B and was made by Minero-Newcome of New York. It was approved on 10 October 1930.
" — 51st Cavalry Brigade HQ

The 52nd was part of the Pennsylvania NG. This DI is one of the most striking pieces. It is not hallmarked and is a S/B. It was approved on 28 June 1930.
" — 52nd Cavalry Brigade HQ

This Bde was part of the Wisconsin NG. The DI was made by Whitehead & Hoag and is a S/B. It was approved on 13 February 1930.
" — 53rd Cavalry Brigade HQ

The 54th was part of the Ohio NG. This piece was made by Meyer and is a S/B. It was approved on 27 June 1930.
" — 54th Cavalry Brigade HQ

This piece was also made by Meyer and is a S/B. It was not approved but worn by troops.
" — Another version of the 54th Cav. Bde.

The 56th was part of the Texas NG. The DI was made by Gemsco and is a S/B. It was not approved by worn. — 56th Cavalry Brigade HQ

This piece was approved on 28 January 1924 and hasn't changed much since. The 1st Cavalry was originally the 1st Dragoons. The DI is a S/B and is not hallmarked. — 1st Cav. Regt.

This is the first version of this piece. It was approved on 16 March 1923. It was supplied by Dondero and is a S/B.
" — 2nd Cav. Regt.

This is the second version. It was approved on 28 April 1924. The 2nd Cav. was originally the 2nd Dragoons. This piece was also supplied by Dondero and is a S/B
" — 2nd Cav. Regt.

This is the third version. It was supplied by Uris in New York but was made by J.R. Gaunt in London. It was not approved but was worn by the troops.
" — 2nd Cav. Regt

Here is the fourth version. It was approved on 29 November 1930. It has more pronounced star points. It is a S/B and is not hallmarked.
" — 2nd Cav. Regt.

This version is made in sterling and is a P/B. — 2nd Cav. Regt.

This regiment was originally the Regt of Mounted Rifles, hence the motto BRAVE RIFLES. This piece was approved on 30 November 1926. It was supplied by A.H. Dondero and is a S/B.
" — 3rd Cav. Regt.

This DI was approved on 19 January 1923 and is a S/B with no hallmark.
" — 4th Cav. Regt.

Here is another DI that hasn't changed much over the years. It was approved on 26 March 1923. It is a S/B and is not hallmarked.
" — 5th Cav. Regt.

The unicorn is superimposed over the shield on this DI. It was approved on 5 January 1923. It was supplied by Dondero and is a S/B.
" — 6th Cav. Regt.

The only known original approved piece is the Institute of Heraldry sample. This DI is in the IOH file but there is no letter of approval. However it is the earliest piece known to have been worn beginning in 1924. The arm and saber are superimposed on the horseshoe. It was supplied by Dondero and is a P/B
" — 7th Cav. Regt.

Here is a later piece with the arm and saber stamped integrally with the horseshoe. It is a Meyer S/B. — 7th Cav. Regt.

This regiment wore two DIs with the horses facing each other. They were approved on 10 January 1927. Here is the left piece which was made by Meyer and is a S/B.
" — 8th Cav. Regt.

Here is the right hand piece of the set. It was also made by Meyer and is a S/B.
" — 8th Cav. Regt.

Here is the original DI for this unit. It was approved on 23 May 1923 but was not worn very long, being cancelled on 22 October 1925. It is not hallmarked but is attributed to Dondero and is a S/B.
" — 9th Cav. Regt.

This is the later version of the 9th DI. It was approved on 31 December 1925 and features a horse and rider superimposed on the blue fort. It was supplied by Dondero and is a S/B.
" — 9th Cav. Regt.

The 10th also wore two facing DIs. Here is the left one. They were approved on 14 December 1923. This piece is not hallmarked and is a S/B.
" — 10th Cav. Regt.

Here is the right hand piece. It also is not hallmarked and is a S/B. It is well used. I have better examples but these two are fairly well matched
" — 10th Cav. Regt.

This DI was made before approval was received on 6 January 1925 but authorization was given on 13 February 1925 to be worn until supplies were exhausted. It was supplied by Dondero and is a S/B. The torse on this piece is black and gold while the approved torse is gold and black.
" — 11th Cav. Regt.

This is the original DI approved on 16 October 1923. It is larger than the subsequent ones. It was supplied by Dondero and is a P/B.
" — 12th Cav. Regt.

This is the second version of the 12th. It features a raised cactus on a curved shield and was made by the famous Philadelphia firm of Bailey, Banks and Biddle and is a P/B. It was never approved but was worn by troops. Later versions of this DI were of the same style but were flat." — 12th Cav. Regt.

Here is the first version of the 13th. It was approved on 5 April 1923 and has a torse on the bottom. It is not hallmarked and was originally a P/B but has been converted to a S/B, possibly for wear on a campaign hat.
" — 13th Cav. Regt.

This is the later version without the torse. It was supplied by Dondero and is a S/B. — 13th Cav. Regt.

This regiment wore a different type of DI, being a ribbon worn on the left epaulette. There are several types of ribbons with different shades, weaves and sizes. I have two different types. In the 1930s, the ribbon was made of metal attached with two screwposts." — 14th Cav. Regt.

This DI was approved on 5 June 1935. It is not hallmarked and is a S/B. — 15th Cav. Regt.

This piece was approved on 23 March 1939. It was made by Meyer and is a S/B. The 16th Cav. Regt. was not activated until 15 June 1942 and their DI was not approved until 6 January 1959 so it was not active in the 1920-30 period.
" — 17th Cav. Regt.

The 26th Regiment (Philippine Scouts) was another unit with two facing DIs. They were approved on 6 February 1924. Here is the left one. It was made by Meyer and is a S/B.
" — 26th Cav. Regt.

Here is the right hand piece. It was also made by Meyer and is a S/B.
" — 26th Cav. Regt.

This was part of the Wyoming NG. The DI was approved on 30 June 1924. It is a sterling piece and is a P/B.
" — 115th Cav. Regt.

This unit was in the New York NG. The DI was approved on 3 January 1928. It is marked "IJWU" which I think stands for International Jewelry Workers Union. It is a P/B. — 101st Cav. Regt.

Part of the New Jersey NG. Approved on 16 May 1931. It was made by Meyer and is a S/B.
" — 102nd Cav. Regt.

This was one of two cavalry regiments in the Pennsylvania NG. The DI was approved on 14 July 1930. It was made by Robbins Co. of Attleboro, Mass. and is a S/B. " — 103rd Cav. Regt.

This was the second PA NG Regt. The DI was approved on 18 February 1924. It is gold plated over sterling and is a P/B.
" — 104th Cav. Regt.

Illinois and Michigan NG. The DI was approved on 21 July 1931. It was made by Robbins and is a S/B. — 106th Cav. Regt.

This unit was with the Ohio NG. The DI was approved on 19 May 1927. It is not hallmarked and is an open P/B.
" — 107th Cav. Regt.

The 108th was divided between the Georgia and Louisiana NG. This DI was approved on 3 July 1934. It was supplied by the National Guard Equipment Co. and is a S/B.
" — 108th Cav. Regt.

This regiment was allocated to the States of Alabama, North Carolina and Tennessee. The DI was approved on 31 July 1939. There is no hallmark and it is a S/B
" — 109th Cav. Regt.

The 110th was in the Massachusetts NG. The DI was approved on 8 February 1930. It was made by Robbins and is a S/B.
" — 110th Cav. Regt.

This unit was in the New Mexico NG. The DI was approved on 12 July 1926. It was supplied by Dondero and is a S/B. In 1940 this unit was redesignated the 207th Coast Artillery (AAA) and was sent to the Philippines where the surviving members were captured by the Japanese.
" — 111th Cav. Regt.

This regiment was part of the Texas NG. This piece was approved on 21 November 1933. It was made by Meyer and is a S/B.
" — 112th Cav. Regt.

The 113th was allocated to the Iowa NG. The DI was approved on 26 July 1927. It was made by Plumb and is a S/B.
" — 113th Cav. Regt.

This unit was part of the Kansas NG. This DI was approved on 2 November 1927. It is not hallmarked and is a S/B. — 114th Cav. Regt.

The 116th was part of the Idaho NG. This DI was approved on 16 January 1928. It is a S/B and was made by the St. Louis Button Co.
" — 116th Cav. Regt.

117th Separate Cavalry Squadron from the Colorado NG. It was approved on 1 July 1931. The original issue of DIs was made by Whitehead & Hoag during annual training in 1932. This piece was made by Meyer and is a S/B.
" — 117th Separate Cavalry Squadron

This was the second cavalry regiment in the New York NG. The DI was approved on 24 October 1929.
This one was made by Bastian Bros. of Rochester, NY and is a S/B.
" — 121st Cav. Regt.

The 122nd was split between Rhode Island and Connecticut. The DI was approved on 29 September 1928. It is not hallmarked but the nut for the screwpost is marked A.H. Dondero, Washington, D.C.
" — 122nd Cav. Regt.

I don't know where the 123rd was assigned. Its DI was never approved. This piece is not hallmarked and it is a P/B.
" — 123rd Cav. Regt.

The 124th was the second cavalry regiment assigned to the Texas NG. The DI was approved but I don't know the date. This piece is not hallmarked and is a S/B.
" — 124th Cav. Regt.

The 301st was allocated to the State of New York. This DI was approved on 12 March 1925. It was supplied by Dondero and is a P/B.
" — 301st Cav. Regt.

The 302nd Cav. Regt. was in New Jersey. The DI was approved on 4 June 1927. This one was made by Robbins and is a S/B.
" — 302nd Cav. Regt.

303rd Cavalry Regiment

304th Cavalry Regiment

305th Cav. Regt. which was from Pennsylvania. It was approved on 7 March 1925. It was made by Robbins and is a P/B. — 305th Cav. Regt.

The 306th Cav. Regt. was from the Maryland and Washington, D.C. area. The DI was approved on 15 August 1924. It was supplied by Dondero and is a S/B.
" — 306th Cav. Regt.

The 306th also wore a ribbon at some time during their history. I am not sure whether it was worn on one shoulder or both but most units with ribbons wore them on the left shoulder strap of the service coat.
" — 306th Cav. Regt.

307th Cav. Regt. was activated in Virginia. The DI was approved on 2 September 1927. This piece is not hallmarked and is a P/B.
" — 307th Cav. Regt.

308th Cavalry Regiment

309th Cav. Regt. was allocated to the States of North Carolina and Georgia. The DI was approved on 17 April 1936. It is not hallmarked and is a S/B.
" — 309th Cav. Regt.

310th Cav. Regt. which was assigned to the States of Tennessee and Georgia. It was approved on 15 January 1936. There is no hallmark and it is a P/B.
" — 310th Cav. Regt.

311th Cav. Regt. was assigned to Texas. The DI was approved on 6 September 1927. The sunflower represents the unit's original location at Fort Riley, Kansas and the star is for its later Texas service. It is not hallmarked and is a P/B.
" — 311th Cav. Regt.

312th Cav. Regt. was located in Oklahoma. The DI was approved on 5 November 1925. It is not hallmarked and is a S/B.
" — 312th Cav. Regt.

313th Cav. Regt. which was assigned to Kentucky. It was approved on 5 August 1927. This piece was made by Robbins and is a S/B.
" — 313th Cav. Regt.

314th Cav. Regt. had its HQ in Lexington, KY. The DI was approved on 20 November 1925. This piece is not hallmarked and is a S/B." — 314th Cav. Regt.

315th Cav. Regt. which was allocated to the States of Rhode Island and Connecticut. It was approved on 13 December 1924. There is no hallmark and it is a S/B.
" — 315th Cav. Regt.

316th Cav. Regt. was assigned to Vermont. The DI was approved on 28 May 1927. This piece has no hallmark and is a S/B. — 316th Cav. Regt.

317th Cav. Regt. HQ was located in Chicago, Illinois. The DI was approved on 20 December 1924. This piece was made by Meyer and is a P/B.
" — 317th Cav. Regt.

318th Cav. Regt. had the third ribbon among the cavalry units. This unit was also located in Illinois. The ribbon was approved on 22 May 1924 and was worn on the left shoulder strap of the service coat. This particular ribbon was worn by 2nd Lt. Harold O. Fichte of Troop B, 1st Sqdn.
" — 318th Cav. Regt.

319th Cav. Regt. was located in Michigan. The DI was approved on 10 July 1926. This one was made by Meyer and is a P/B.
" — 319th Cav. Regt.

320th Cav. Regt. which was assigned to Wisconsin. It was approved on 29 April 1939. It is not hallmarked and is a S/B. The armored gauntlet is superimposed on the shield. — 320th Cav. Regt.

321st Cav. Regt. was located in the Kansas City, Missouri area. The DI was never approved. It was made by Newcome and is a S/B.
" — 321st Cav. Regt.

323rd Cav. Regt. was based in the States of California, Washington and Oregon. The DI was approved on 26 January 1928. This one is not hallmarked and is a P/B.
" — 323rd Cav. Regt.

324th Cav. which was assigned to Utah. The DI was approved on 3 August 1938. This one was made by Meyer and is a S/B.
" — 324th Cav.

This is the 1st MG Sqdn. which was a Regular Army unit. The DI was approved on 4 February 1924. This piece is not hallmarked but is attributed to Amcraft and is a S/B. Most of these units were phased out by the late 1920s and reverted to regular cavalry squadrons. The 1st MG Sqdn. was broken up on 1 February 1928. Troops A, B and C became MG Troops of the 1st, 12th and 5th Cav. Regts respectively. The Sqdn HQ was absorbed into the 5th Cavalry at Fort Clark, TX and the 1st Cav. Brigade at Camp Marfa, TX.
" — 1st MG Sqdn.

It has brass shading on the ends of the scrolls. This one is not hallmarked but is attributed to Frank Bros. and is a S/B.
" — 1st MG Sqdn.

2nd MG Sqdn. which was also a Regular Army unit. This DI was approved on 7 August 1923. It is not hallmarked but is attributed to Amcraft and is a S/B. The 2nd was also broken up on 1 February 1928. Troops A and B became MG Troops of the 7th and 8th Cavalry respectively. Troop C was absorbed into both the 7th and 8th Cavalry. Sqdn. HQ was absorbed by the 1st Cav. Div. at Fort Bliss.
" — 2nd MG Sqdn.

The 51st MG Sqdn. was part of the New York NG. The DI was approved on 23 October 1925. This piece was made by Robbins and is a S/B. The 51st was redesignated on 15 February 1928 as the 2nd Sqdn of the 101st Cav. Regt. — 51st MG Sqdn.

55th MG Sqdn. which was part of the Alabama NG. The DI was approved on 31 October 1924. It was made by Amcraft and is a P/B. The 55th was consolidated with the 117th Field Artillery on 15 March 1929 — 55th MG Sqdn.

This unit was constituted as part of the 61st Cavalry Division with over 50 percent of the personnel coming from the 51st MG Sqdn. so it probably was in New York but I don't know for sure. The DI was approved on 19 April 1926. This piece was made by Bowman and is a S/B.
" — 152nd MG Sqdn.

The Mounted Service School was established at Riley in 1907 to train both Cavalry and Artillery. In 1919 the schools were separated with only the Cavalry School remaining at Riley. This piece was made by Green in Kansas City and is a S/B. — Cavalry School

The Cavalry Replacement Training Center was established at Fort Riley in 1941. This DI was supplied by Dondero and is a P/B. — Cavalry Replacement Training Center

Here is another CRTC DI in sterling. It is a P/B. — Cavalry Replacement Training Center

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FAQ’s
- WW1 US Saddlery Contractors
- McClellan Saddle Identification
Historiography
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