GENERAL OFFICER'S SWORD AND BELT, 1st Vendémiaire Year XII model (September 24, 1803), First Empire, Hundred Days Period. 30228.

GENERAL OFFICER SABER AND BELT, model of the 1st Vendemiaire year XII (September 24, 1803), First Empire, Hundred Days Period. 30228

Gilt bronze hilt entirely chiseled. Guard with a branch decorated with lines in the upper part of the head of the Nemean lion followed by a large openwork acanthus leaf starting at the pommel level. Rectangular-shaped knuckle guard decorated in relief with a shield (originally bearing the initials "RF" or "EF"), bordered in each corner by a rooster head and set upon a background of a bundle of flags and laurel wreath. Quillon shaped like a monster's head from mythology. Below the knuckle guard and on each side of the saber, a cushion bordered by studded molding is decorated in relief with a Medusa head. Richly decorated pommel on each side with a molded border containing three stars topped by a series of acanthus leaves and a laurel wreath; the pommel features in relief the head of the Nemean lion surrounded by laurel leaves. Ebony handle finely sculpted in relief with scales.
Curved blade with hollow facets in damascus steel, with Arabic inscriptions and decorations in gilt on its first third, flat spine. Length 82.5 cm, width at the heel 3 cm.
Blued steel scabbard with three gilt bronze fittings. Smooth-edged chape with in its upper part on a sanded background an array of ancient helmets with oak and laurel branches, (originally topped by a Gallic rooster with outspread wings holding the shining lightning bolt of Jupiter in its talons). In the lower part of the chape, at the scabbard ring lug level, the head of the Nemean lion is depicted on a sanded background surrounded by trophies, a sword, and a mace. This decoration is also present on the reverse side. Chape height 10.5 cm. Central fitting decorated in its center on a sanded background with intertwined laurel wreaths. This decoration is present on both sides.
Scabbard tip engraved with acanthus leaves at the bottom and a wide relief molding decorated with oak branches at the top. Pierced iron drag.

Burgundy Moroccan leather belt with two bands of gilded silver thread, width 3.3 cm. It is adorned with four round gilt bronze buckles, approximately 4.8 cm in diameter, decorated with a helmeted Minerva head. Two of these buckles have trapezoidal buckles at the back for suspender strap attachment. The two front buckles have a ring in which an S-shaped hook with a snake head closes the belt. Gilded brass buckles. Suspender straps finished like the belt, width 2.6 cm, with gilt bronze rectangular buckles adorned with oak leaf molding and each end shaped like a shield with scales framed by eagle heads.

France.
First Empire, Hundred Days Period.
Good condition, worn gilding, blade in very good condition, oxidized blued scabbard turned brown, belt in very good condition with some wear and tear.

NOTE:
The initials on the saber's knuckle guard and the Gallic rooster on the scabbard chape were scraped off during the First Restoration, as well as the Monarchy emblems during the Hundred Days Period.