Brigadier General Officer's Saber, Model Of The 1st Vendémiaire Year XII, First Empire

BRIGADE GENERAL OFFICER'S SABRE, model of the 1st Vendémiaire Year XII (September 24, 1803), First Empire. 29845 Gilt bronze mount entirely reworked in chasing. Guard with a branch decorated with the features in the upper part of the head of the Nemean lion followed by a large openwork acanthus leaf starting at the level of the cap. Rectangular crossguard decorated in relief with a shield decorated in its center with the initials "RF" (French Republic) bordered in each corner with a rooster's head and placed on a background of bundles of flags and laurel wreath. Quillon in the shape of a monster's head from mythology. Below the crossguard and on each side of the sabre, an earring bordered by a studded molding is decorated in relief with a head of Medusa. Cap richly decorated on each side with a molded-edge box comprising two stars topped with a series of acanthus leaves and a crown of laurel leaves; the cap is decorated in relief with the head of the Nemean lion surrounded by a laurel crown. Ebony handle finely carved in relief with scales. Curved blade with hollow sides in Damascus with on its first third Arabic inscriptions and decorations on a gilded background, back with faceted reed. Length 88 cm, width at the heel 3.2 cm. Blued steel scabbard with three gilded bronze fittings. Smooth-edged chape with in the upper part on a sandblasted background a trophy of antique helmets with oak and laurel branches, all topped with a Gallic rooster with outstretched wings holding in its talons the sparkling spindle of Jupiter. This decoration is only present on the obverse. In the lower part of the chape, at the level of the bail piton, is represented on a sandblasted background the head of the Nemean lion on a background of trophy, sword and mace. This decoration is also present on the reverse. H of the chape 12.5 cm. Central garnish decorated in its center on a sandblasted background with two intertwined laurel crowns. This decoration is present on the reverse and the obverse. Bouterolle engraved in the lower part with acanthus leaves with arrow and in the upper part with a large relief molding decorated with oak branches. Openwork iron dart. France. First Empire. Very good condition, gilding slightly rubbed, three small losses to the ebony of the handle, blueing of the scabbard partly faded.