Saber of honor awarded by the First Consul to citoyen Godbin - Lot 97

Saber of honor awarded by the First Consul to citoyen Godbin, maréchal des logis with the 7th regiment of dragoons: Single-branch silver hilt patterned after those of cavalry officers and non-commissioned officers, lightened branch, engraved half-navette-shaped mounts, palmette-shaped quillon, double-skirted cap adorned with gadroons on top, leather-covered spindle, silver filigree; curved cavalry blade with one hollow edge, hallmarked: "M" surmounted by a toothed wheel (Mouton, civil inspector from November 1793 to March 1798) and : "L W" (Levavasseur, inspector from March 1798 to September 1803) and signed on the back: "Mfture de Klingenthal Coulaux Freres Entreprs"; iron scabbard with two wide silver bracelets engraved, on the front, with a trophy with two flags, signed, on the front: "Le 1er Consul - au Cen Godbin - Mal des logis - au 7e Reg de - De dragons" and, on the back: "Ruigeisen chef - armurier de la - garde Imperial", button-shaped sting; length 104 cm. (Minor damage to the cap). Early First Empire period. Good condition. HISTORY: GODBIN or GODEBIN Louis, maréchal des logis in the 7th regiment of dragoons, born in Rouen, distinguished himself at Marengo in a cavalry charge during which he took two Austrian officers prisoner. He again distinguished himself in the Army of the West, in 1801, against the Vendée insurgents, and particularly in a vanguard battle in which he took several prisoners and a flag. GODBIN was awarded a saber of honor on 4 pluviôse An XI, joined the Consuls' guard of foot chasseurs in 1803, and retired in 1805. Reference: Fastes de la Legion d'honneur, bibliographie de tous les décorés par MM. Lievyns, Verdot et Bégat, Paris, 1842, tome 2, page 20. GODBIN did receive a saber of honor from the First Consul, but perhaps he lost it in battle or for some other reason, and had one refurbished by the chief armorer of the Ruigeisen imperial guard, as he joined the Consuls' guard of foot chasseurs in 1803 and retired in 1805 (it was the Empire then); or perhaps it was a gift on his retirement. Enclosed are nine archive copies confirming its attribution to a saber of honor in the 7th Dragoons.