The weapon of a career and a life, a magnificent and moving - Lot 344

Lot n° 344
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Estimation :
13000 - 18000 EUR
The weapon of a career and a life, a magnificent and moving - Lot 344
The weapon of a career and a life, a magnificent and moving witness. Saber of honor given by the First Consul to infantry non-commissioned officer citoyen Thomas Montlaurent (1773-1832). Infantry non-commissioned officers' lighter-type mounting in hallmarked silver. Basane-covered handle with silver filigree. Plain cap with short cut-out skirt. Single-branch hilt with grooved decoration, quillon curved towards the tip, chased with melon ribs. This saber has been modified with a long curved cavalry officer's blade, with flat back, counter-edge and hollow sides, engraved, gilded and blued in thirds with trophy decoration, laurel wreath, foliate scrolls and its iron sheet scabbard with two suspension rings on which has been mounted : the precious original silver cap engraved with "Le Premier Consul au Cen Montlaurent Thomas sergent de la 25me demi-brigade". (the "u" of Consul retouched). Hallmarks "BY" and "D", and large guarantee hallmark 1798-1809. A.B.E. (traces of a long career and intensive use). Consulat-Ier Empire period. N.B.: This infantry saber of honor was judiciously reassembled for use as a cavalry officer's saber when it was transferred to the mounted gendarmerie in 1803, given the service record of the recipient who, originally in the infantry, was appointed to the mounted gendarmerie. The original chape has been shortened to fit the scabbard, blocking it with the first piton; Note the heavy wear on the two iron pitons, evidence of intense service. The clevis knob has been removed and replaced by a bracelet with a ring enabling it to be worn by a rider. Note: This surprising infantry saber, awarded by the First Consul for "dazzling deeds, courage and devotion" to a 27-year-old infantry non-commissioned officer, was modified by its holder, now a cavalryman, so that it could be worn on horseback, a sign of the attachment he rightly felt to his saber of honor. MONTLAURENT Thomas, (January 27, 1773 - January 9, 1832, Reims-Marne), Sergeant in the 25th demi-brigade of light infantry, distinguished himself in the Army of Italy in 1800, and proved his valour throughout the blockade of Genoa. On Prairial 10, Year XI, the First Consul awarded him a saber of honor. In 1803, he joined the 14th Gendarmerie Legion. He was still a mounted gendarme in the Marne company in 1819. This issue is offered in partnership with the Senlis auction house.
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