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61 - 2 - SABRE PRESENTED BY THE FIRST CONSUL TO THOMAS MONTLAURENT (1…
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Estimate €7,000 - €9,000
Sale commission
Description
SABRE PRESENTED BY THE FIRST CONSUL TO THOMAS MONTLAURENT (1773–1832). THE WEAPON OF A MAGNIFICENT CAREER OF AN INFANTRY NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER APPOINTED TO THE GENDARMERIE HONOUR SABRE OF AN INFANTRY NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER awarded to Citizen Thomas MONTLAURENT (1773–1832) A ‘briquet’-style hilt typical of junior infantry officers, made of hallmarked silver. Handle covered in sheepskin with silver filigree. Plain cap with a short, cut-out skirt. Single-branch guard with grooved decoration. Quillon curved towards the point, chiselled with melon ribs. Refitted with a long, curved officer’s blade, with a flat back, a counter-cut edge and hollow sides, engraved, gilded and blued to one-third of its length with a decoration of trophies, a laurel wreath and foliage scrolls. The scabbard is made of sheet iron with two suspension rings, onto which the original silver pommel has been mounted, engraved with ‘Le Premier Consul au Cen Montlaurent Thomas sergent de la 25me demi-brigade’ (the ‘u’ in ‘Consul’ has been retouched). Hallmarks “BY” and “D”, and a full hallmark for the period 1798–1809. A.B.E. Consulate period, modified during the recipient’s service in the mounted gendarmerie under the Empire. An infantry sabre of honour refitted for use as a cavalry sabre, given the recipient’s service record. The original pommel has been shortened to fit the scabbard, securing it at the first rivet; the pommel knob has been removed; the wrist strap is a later addition. Note the significant wear on two iron rivets, evidence of heavy use. MONTLAURENT Thomas, (27 January 1773 – 9 January 1832, Reims-Marne), Sergeant in the 25th Light Infantry Half-Brigade, distinguished himself in the Army of Italy in 1800, and showed great valour throughout the siege of Genoa. On 10 Prairial, Year XI, the First Consul awarded him a sabre of honour. In 1803, he joined the 14th Gendarmerie Legion. He was still a mounted gendarme in the Marne Company in 1819. Note: This sabre is of particular interest. Presented by the First Consul to an infantry non-commissioned officer, the latter had it modified upon his transfer to the mounted gendarmerie, given his (justified) attachment to his sabre of honour.
See original version (French)
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About the sale Antique Weapons & Historical Memorabilia
Auction location
Auction time 07/22/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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