The
Chasseur-à-Cheval de La Garde Impériale Sabre
Dating to 1802/1803
In order to get an idea of the magical attraction that a sabre of
Napoleon's famous Imperial Guard has on collectors here is an overview of the
history of the regiment that was equipped with the "Chasseur à Cheval de
La Garde Impériale" sabre.
Comment: Many regiments of the Imperial Guard were later equiped with
this type of sabre during Napoleon's reign, but the Chasseurs-à-Cheval was the
first regiment to be equiped with it and therefore gave the sabre its name.
Troopers and NCOs of the Horse Artillery and the Artillery Train of the
Imperial Guard and also the Guard Hussars of the Kingdom of Holland, under
Louis Bonaparte, used this sabre. These hussars were later absorbed in the
Imperial Guard and became the famous Red Lancers, the 2nd Regiment de Cheveau-Légere
lanciers de La Garde Impériale.
The Regiment of Chasseurs-à-Cheval was raised under the name:
"General-in-Chief's Company of Mounted Guides" as the cavalry part of
the bodyguard that Napoleon created in Italy 1796. Its first commander was
Captain Jean-Baptiste Bessières, the future Marshal of France (1804). The
squadron went to Egypt with Napoleon and was renamed to "Escadron de
Chasseurs-à-Cheval de La Garde Consulaire" after his coup in 1799. On 3
January 1800, it consisted of 4 officers and 113 troopers and was commanded by
Captain Eugène de Beauhairnais, Napoleon's stepson.
Until then the troopers and NCOs were equipped with the hussar sabre
Model 1786. In 1800, a new type of sabre, that would be the base of the later
"Chasseur à Cheval de La Garde Impériale" sabre, was introduced: the
"sabre des Chasseurs-à-Cheval de La Garde des Consuls -1e modèle 1800 -
1803." This sabre was different from the later famous model because it had
no two strips (rings) around its copper scabbard and it had slightly different
dimensions. On the side of the blade it had the inscription "Mfacture de
Klingenthal." (The sabre was manufactered at the famous armory of Nicolas
Boutet in Versailles and the blade was made by Klingenthal.)
The squadron was present during the famous battle of Marengo (14 June
1800) and even led one of the final cavalry charges that contributed so much to
Napoleon's victory. On 1 October 1802 it became a regiment with 4 squadrons,
comprising 56 officers and 959 troopers.
On 22 September 1803, the regiment received the "sabre des
Chasseurs-à-Cheval de La Garde Consulaire puis Impériale, 2e modèle 1803",
the model that it would continue to use during the rest of the Napoleonic Era.
This sabre was also manufactered at Versailles and it was inscribed on the side
of the blade: "Mture Nale du Klingenthal Coulaux Frères Entreps" or
"M=fture Imp=le Du Klingenthal Coulaux Frerés".
When Napoleon crowned himself Emperor in 1804 the name of the Consular
Guard was changed in Imperial Guard (Garde Impériale). From this time on the
regiment went everywhere Napoleon went and one squadron of Chasseurs-à-Cheval
was always with him, 24 hours a day. It was his mounted bodyguard, the so
called "Escadron de service" (Service Squadron). The
Chasseurs-à-Cheval were Napoleon's favorite regiment, he called them his
"enfants chéris" (his treasured children) and gave them liberties
that the other Guard regiments could not afford to get away with.
In 1810 a small modification was made to the Chasseurs sabre. The
scabbard was made out of one piece now and the hilt became a little larger.
After this it was known as the "sabre des Chasseurs-à-Cheval de La Garde
Impériale - 3e type". The Red Lancers received the sabre at this time. It
needs to be said of course that all the different models continued to be used
during the entire Napoleonic Era because the decrees that regulated their use
were not always followed to the letter and/or implemented right away.
During the First Restoration the regiment was renamed the "Corps
Royal des Chasseurs-à-Cheval de France" but its old name was restored with
Napoleon's return from Elba. The story ends with Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo
(18 June 1815) which was the end of the Imperial Guard. There is no evidence
that the sabre was used during the Second Restoration so the end of the
Napoleonic Era was also probably the end of the active service of the
"sabre de Chasseur a Cheval de La Garde Impériale."
Total length: 96 cm, blade length: 87,5, blade width: 3,6 cm.
This item is guaranteed to be genuine, ancient and as described.
IMPORTANT NOTICES ABOUT THE SHIPPING:
Shipping to US and not EU countries: due to customs procedures can take about one month. Faster shipping is available via courier. Please contact us for price and other details.