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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: yeovil, somerset, uk
Posts: 75
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hi. I hope that someone out there can put some light on this sword, it was listed in a paris auction as a sword of napoleons old guard. the blade as had the eagle and imperial guard erased, replaced by " Honor and patrie". My understanding is that on the fall of napoleon soon after waterloo the old guard was removed from paris and disbanded. sorry i have only the two pictures of the sword as yet i don,t collect it until mid april. but what is your take on this item. michael
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#2 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
Posts: 9,694
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Hi Michael,
Why do you think the motto Honneur et Patrie replaced the Eagle and Imperial Garde engravings? Perhaps the motto is a remnant (not a replacement) from the origin engraving, as it was the motto of the Legion d'Honneur, established by Napoleon as the French highest condecoration. Your sword would indeed be a Sabre d'Honneur, with which Napoleon presented 145 officers of La Garde. There would be three different models, to distinguish the rank of the officer presented. Apparently this insignia was altered in 1814, with the removal of the eagle and, in the case of condecorations, the face of Napolen was replaced by that of Bourbon King Henry IV, whom could also be the guy on the cross hilt of your sword. Hope this helps ... and expect it is reliable ![]() |
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: yeovil, somerset, uk
Posts: 75
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hi, fernando, I don,t think this sword is a sabre de honneur, they are much nicer. the remains of the eagle can just be made out in the picture just before the start of Honor and patrie.have you any infor on the three models in use at teh time, michael
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#4 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
Posts: 9,694
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No, i just found this in the Web:
http://www.napoleon.org/fr/salle_lec...eur_Empire.asp There was one model for Generals, one for heavy Cavalry and one for light Cavalry officers. Certainly the model for Generals was much more elaborated than those for Cavalry officers; but you are probably right. Just for perusal, here you find the list of those presented with Sabres of Honour: http://www.napoleon-series.org/milit...ardarmes1.html |
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#5 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: yeovil, somerset, uk
Posts: 75
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thanks fernando, I have seen some swords of honour for sale at auctions and if named go for lots of money, there was also the silver swords that got given out by napoleon for acts of valour, I think that a number when to the imperial guard but when the legion of honour medal came into being in 1804 the silver swords came to an end.
michael |
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#6 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
Posts: 9,694
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Hi Michael,
I thought you might like to see this example... and the supporting text. . |
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#7 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: yeovil, somerset, uk
Posts: 75
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thanks for that, they are a work of art these swords. would love to own one, maybe one day. michael
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