Fanion

By Crusader1307

This banner is of French origin, seen around the late 18th and early 19th Century. Similar in use as the American Guidon and the British Company Color. The Fanion was a cloth miniature flag, often used to denote a Unit in the field. Although sizing was different (for Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery), on average they were 25-inches by 25-inches. The were mounted onto a thin metal pole. The Fanion “Bearer” would place the pole into his musket/rifle barrel. Their use would continue until the late 19th Century for some French field Units.