SABRETACHE CAVALRY ARTILLERY TROOP OF THE IMPERIAL GUARD from the Out-of-Rank Platoon, 1854 model, Second Empire. 14471TER-1

ARTILLERY TROOP HORSEGUARD IMPERIAL GUARD sabretache, from the Out-of-Rank Squadron, model 1854, Second Empire. 14471TER-1

Black varnished leather plate, cut in a bracket shape in the lower part with a soft leather piping folded and sewn on the outer edge of the plate. Plate height 33 cm, width at the top 20 cm, width at the bottom 29.5 cm.
In the center, an embossed brass plaque is fixed, cut in the shape of a crowned imperial eagle with outstretched wings resting on two crossed cannons. Height 14.5 cm, width 14 cm. This plaque is attached by five brass studs passing through the plate and held by a leather lace.
Rectangular inner pocket in black varnished leather, with a beige fabric lining. It is hot stamped with "PHR" (Out-of-Rank Squadron) on the leather and inked on the fabric lining with the imperial crown, dated 1869 and with a hardly readable serial number. Height 25 cm, width 20 cm.

Good condition.

France.

Second Empire.

NOTE: The horse artillery of the Imperial Guard of the Second Empire is equipped for the troop with a sabretache in leather covered with dark blue cloth edged in scarlet with a brass eagle resting on two cannons at its center. This model is well-known, documented, and relatively rare to find in an authentic state. For officers, there are two models: a full dress model in leather, covered with dark blue cloth edged in gold with the Guard artillery eagle at its center, and a service dress model in black varnished leather with the Guard eagle on the plate.
The specimen I am presenting today was hitherto completely unknown as it is a troop model, the leather is varnished but with a more robust finish than an officer's, with much larger dimensions, a troop inner pocket lined with fabric with regimental markings, and a non-gilded brass eagle. Based on our current knowledge, it would be the only recorded specimen.