The sabretaches of the first empire are military equipment that dates back to the Old Monarchy, the Napoleonic army widely uses this accessory.
Bertrand Malvaux, CNES expert National Chamber of Specialized Experts, presents authentic examples of Honor Guard and Imperial Guard Scouts, and a cartridge pouch.
Collecting military objects is a passion that requires time, patience, modesty and solid documentation. These requirements are all the more important as, over time, objects become rarer and more and more difficult to access. However, military art is a collection theme that still allows, according to everyone's possibilities, to find first-rate historical objects, without necessarily the price being unaffordable.
I am always enthusiastic when an object of insignificant appearance, but which once enlightened by historical research, reveals itself to be an object steeped in history and sometimes more evocative than an object of great prestige known only to a few copies in the world ! This is a chance for beginner collectors or for those who do not wish to have too expensive a passion to be interested in military trinkets.
Contrary to what current trends may suggest, the militaria still offers some subjects within the reach of the greatest number of collectors, provided they know how to get out of periods or highly prized objects. Copperware from the July Monarchy, military buttons from the second half of the 19th century, uniforms from the Third Republic, headgear from the National Guard, miniature portraits from the reigns of Louis-Philippe and Napoleon III, military photographs , certain brassware from the Revolutionary National Guard, epaulets from the Restoration to the Third Republic, regimental memorabilia, certain city swords from the Old Monarchy are all subjects in which it is possible to constitute suites of authentic, interesting, aesthetic and historical objects with usual means.
I have made it a rule to supplement the meticulous examination of objects with an in-depth study of archives and period texts.
The selection of objects and books offered for purchase on my site and in my Catalogs is based on 20 years of professional experience and 25 years of passion for military art.
See the website: www.bertrand-malvaux.fr and the 2006 and 2009 sales catalogs “History through objects”.
These pieces are not all of an insignificant rarity, but each of these military objects or historical souvenirs, expensive or modest, is an authentic witness to a glorious or unhappy past that cannot leave anyone indifferent. It remains for you to acquire them, if that is your desire.