Reward saber of the Directory known as "of the... Lot 92

Reward saber of the Directory known as "of the four hundred braves" given by the Ministry of the War, hilt with one branch with bronze column and inflected quillon, filigree fuse, the cruise with half auricle in the shape of shield is engraved on the obverse "The Minister of the War to the 3rd company of the 19th half brigade" and on the reverse "Manufacture in Versailles" and punches of Boutet. Superb blade engraved, blued and gilded to the third marked on the back "Klingenthal", leather scabbard with two brass trimmings cut out with button of chape. First Empire period. According to Joseph Durieux's notes (Carnet de la Sabretache 1932) "These sabers were given, by order of the Minister of War SCHÉRER, at the request of General VAUBOIS, to the soldiers of the 3rd company of the 19th ½ brigade of the line, on April 1, 1798, following the events of Corsica and mainly the siege of the fort of Corte which lasted 45 days, from 12 nivôse to 26 pluviôse year VI, where these soldiers refused to capitulate, in spite of important losses. There would have been a hundred sabers made. Some of these soldiers were found, one year later, among the "three hundred braves" of Nazareth and that is why these sabers are often attributed to this event of the Egyptian campaign: the battle of Nazareth of 18 germinal year VII (8 April 1799), where 150 men of the 19th ½ brigade, with a hundred dragoons of the 14th regiment and a few tens of carabinieri, particularly distinguished themselves. This troop was commanded by General JUNOT. Boutet Nicolas Noel (1761-1833), director of the Manufacture de Versailles from Year II to 1818.