Saber And Belt Of A Divisional General Officer, Model Of The 1st Vendémiaire Year XII

SABER AND BELT OF A GENERAL OFFICER OF THE DIVISION, model of the 1st Vendémiaire Year XII (September 24, 1803), First Empire, Hundred Days Period. 30228Gilt 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 (originally bearing the initials "RF" or EF") bordered in each corner with a rooster's head and placed on a background of bundles of flags and a laurel wreath. Quillon in the shape of a monster's head from mythology. Below the crossguard and on each side of the saber, an earring bordered by a studded molding is decorated in relief with a head of Medusa. Richly decorated cap on each side with a molded-edged box featuring three stars topped with a series of acanthus leaves and a wreath of laurel leaves; the cap is decorated in relief with the head of the Nemean lion encircled by a laurel wreath. Ebony handle finely carved in relief with scales. Curved blade with hollow sides in Damascus with Arabic inscriptions and decorations on its first third with gilded background, flat back. Length 82.5 cm, width at the heel 3 cm. Blued steel scabbard with three gilt bronze fittings. Smooth-edged chape with a sandblasted background at the top, a trophy of antique helmets with oak and laurel branches (originally surmounted by a Gallic rooster with outstretched wings holding in its talons the sparkling spindle of Jupiter). In the lower part of the chape, at the level of the bail piton, is depicted on a sandblasted background the head of the Nemean lion on a background of a trophy, sword and mace. This decoration is also present on the reverse. H of the chape 10.5 cm. Central garnish decorated in its center on a sandblasted background with two intertwined laurel wreaths. This decoration is present on the reverse and the obverse. End of the scabbard 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 rivet. Belt in burgundy morocco with two rods of gilded silver thread, width 3.3 cm. It is adorned with four round gilt bronze buckles, diameter approximately 4.8 cm, decorated with a helmeted Minerva's head. Two of these buckles have trapezoidal bridges at the back for wearing suspension straps. The two front loops are fitted with a ring in which an S-shaped hook with a snake's head allows the belt to be closed. Gilt brass buckles. Suspension straps similarly finished to the belt, width 2.6 cm, with rectangular gilt bronze buckles with oak leaf baguette and each end is in the shape of a scaled shield framed by eagles' heads. France. First Empire, Hundred Days Period. Good condition, gilding rubbed, blade in very good condition, blueing of the scabbard oxidized to brown, belt in very good condition with some wear. NOTE: The initials on the saber's crosspiece and the Gallic cockerel on the scabbard's chape were leveled during the First Restoration, as were the emblems of the Monarchy during the Hundred Days period.