Caen Enchères
196
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General O’Connor’s walking stick.
See original version (French)
196
-
General O’Connor’s walking stick.
See original version (French)
Estimate €200 - €300
Voluntary lot
Description
General O’Connor’s walking stick. A wooden walking stick with a gold-plated pommel bearing the General’s insignia (the letters ‘F’ and ‘C’ intertwined and surmounted by a five-pointed crown). Two gold-edged holes for threading a strap through. The tip is reinforced with a metal cap fitted with a brass ring. Length 86 cm. This item has never been part of a collection and comes directly from the grandson of someone close to General O’Connor.
Fernand Marie O’Connor, born in Paris on 21 January 1847, was part of the ‘Sultan’ intake at Saint-Cyr (1866–1868), from which he graduated as a second lieutenant in the 6th Hussars Regiment. He took part in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 as a member of the prestigious Guides de la Garde Regiment, and subsequently served as aide-de-camp to General de Galliffet during the suppression of the Paris Commune. He was promoted to lieutenant and then captain in 1876 whilst serving in chasseur regiments, before becoming an aide-de-camp to the Minister of War, General Borel. He subsequently took part in the expedition to Algeria, then to Tunisia and Tonkin, until 1887. He then returned to Algeria with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the cavalry regiments.
He was appointed colonel in 1891 as commander of the 2nd Regiment of African Chasseurs. Promoted to brigadier in 1896 and then to major-general in 1902, he commanded the Oran Division from 1901 to 1903 and distinguished himself during the capture of the Figuig oasis, an achievement that earned him a feature on the front page of *Le Petit Journal* on Sunday 21 June 1903. He died on 24 October 1905.
He was the recipient of numerous honours: Commander of the Legion of Honour in 1899, the Tonkin (China) and Anham medals, the Colonial Medal with the Tunisia clasp, Officer of the Order of Nichan Ifitkhar, Knight 2nd Class of the Order of Stanislas, Officer of the Order of Leopold, Commander of the Order of Franz Joseph, Knight of the Order of the Sword and Knight of the Order of Our Lady of Vila Viçosa.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures modified on 09/18/2026 at 4:19 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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