Rating and value of Napoleonic sabres (From the Consulate to 1870)

If you own a Napoleonic sword, and would like to know its value, and if you don't know, the era and model of the sword, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will offer you their appraisal services. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your sword, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on today's market. Thereafter, if you wish to sell your saber, we will direct you to the best possible device to obtain an optimal market price.  

Rating and value of Napoleonic sabers  

Napoleonic sabers are among the most sought-after collectible weapons on the auction market.However, price differences can be considerable depending on the model, the state of preservation, the person to whom it belonged, the number of examples produced, as well as other criteria. Now, prices for these weapons can rise considerably under the auctioneer's hammer. Buyers from all over the world are interested in sales of certain rare pieces. The price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €50 to €200,000, at the moment, a consequent discrepancy but one that says a lot about the value that can be attributed to Napoleonic sabers. The Emperor's saber itself sold for €4,700,000 at auction, but this was an exceptional case. A look back at past auctions and more details on these weapons.

Order of value ranging from a simple sabre to the most prestigious (from the Consulate to the Second Empire)

Back to the history of the French saber (pre-Consulate)

Sabers first appeared in medieval times, evolving in different ways according to fashion and geographical influences. At the end of the 17th century, a hundred years before the French Revolution, the King of France, Louis XIV at the time, decided to regulate their manufacture. De La Maison du Roi sabers (the King's bodyguard, made up of the nobility) made their appearance and were among the first to be included in the regulations. Bladed weapons such as sabers were imported from Germany and assembled in France. Then, in 1730, Louis XV issued letters patent authorizing their manufacture, first in Alsace, then at the Châtellerault factory.

Sabers of the Consulate and First Empire (Napoleon Bonaparte)

1799 - 1815

French sabers were mostly modified during the Consulate and First Empire. Napoleon I needed them more to equip the Grande Armée. His nephew, Louis Napoléon-Bonaparte (Napoléon III), saw far less combat than he did.

The Army corps for which sabers were most adapted was the cavalry, and technical advances in bladed weapons were applied to the artillery, navy, Imperial Guard and other soldiers.

There are 5 known categories of saber for the period :

-      The Mamluk saber : Not a French invention, soldiers of the Grande Armée brought this weapon back after the Egyptian campaign and continued to use it. It is characterized by a fairly broad, curved and long blade.

-      The saber known as " bancal "in 1822, inspired by previous sabers, is intended for heavy and line cavalry. The blade is more curved, and it will be used during the Restoration, but also during the Second Empire.

-      The sabre latte : It too is available for the various army corps and is inspired by the sword. It is, however, thinner and lighter. Its distinctive feature is its very straight, thin blade. It is used by artillery and cavalry, but sailors will also use them.

-      The lighter saber : This is the most common and widely used. It was declined to all corps of the Napoleonic Army, including the Imperial Guard. There are details on each saber to identify the Army corps and sometimes the soldier's rank. Briquet saber blades are often engraved with a name, initials or the imperial coat of arms. The blade is very slightly curved, quite thin and the arrow is pointed. It has been used extensively in the infantry, cavalry (notably by mounted grenadiers) and navy. There is a vast variety of models for this saber.

-      The boarding saber : As its name suggests, it is used by sailors to cut various ropes on board ships. The blade is broad and rather short.

Sabers of the Second Empire (Napoleon III)

1852 - 1870

During the Second Empire, the French Army was much less at war than at the beginning of the century. Soldiers, imperial guards and high-ranking state officials nevertheless carried sabres. This weapon became a symbol of French power and pride.

The types of sabers remained the same, but were to undergo an evolution.

-      Concerning lighter sabers, other models were created, but they did not undergo any significant evolution.

-      As for sabres lattes, they remain in use for soldiers but will be improved for high state officials, with gilding, a mother-of-pearl hilt as well as a coat-of-arms often carved on the bottom of the hilt.

-      Boarding sabers were to undergo an evolution in terms of the handle : in 1833, the regulations changed and the handle was round, they were called " spoon à pot " at the time.

It is the swords of civil servants that are most appreciated at auction during the Second Empire, as they are aesthetically well cared for and, having generally not been used in combat, are often in a better state of preservation.

Knowing the value of a Napoleonic sword

If you happen to own a First or Second Empire sword(s), and would like to know its value, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal by filling in our form on our Auctie's website. A member of our team of state-approved experts and auctioneers will contact you promptly with an estimate of your item's market value, and will also provide you with historical information. If you wish to sell your property, you will also be accompanied by our specialists in order to benefit from solutions to sell it at the best possible price, taking into account market inclinations.