SABRE AWARD PRESENTED BY THE CONSULS OF THE REPUBLIC TO JEAN-JOSEPH CASTAGNIER (1753 - 1807) awarded by the Consuls of the Republic. Chased brass mount with burnished and matt burnished and matt. Openwork cap with small German-style oval top and palmette and acanthus leaf decoration. Joint arch with hollow sides and melon of melon. Slightly curved quillon ending in a button. It is hallmarked "LD" supposed to be Lamogène Directeur "AB" unidentified and "Boutet Directeur Artiste Manuf re a Versailles". Cruise decorated with plant crowns, trumpets and foliage. Wooden spindle covered with a double filigree alternating copper. Blade with strong counter-edge and carp tongue carp tongue, gilded, chased and one third blued. Chiselled on the right back "KLINGENTHAL". Wooden scabbard covered with blackened chagrin leather blackened chagrin-type leather and three finely chased and gilded brass. chased and gilded. Marked "GIVEN to the chief of division castagnier Par Les CONSULS De La REPUBLIQUE". And "Le 7 FRIMAIRE AN 8". Dard out of iron in the shape of shell Saint- Jacques shell. Dried hides making it difficult of the sabre. France, Consulate period. Total length: 93 cm Sabre close to a known model of the "Saint Cloud" prize awarded 19 brumaire an VIII (10 nov 1799). Ours, awarded on 7 frimaire an VIII (28 Nov 1799), 18 days later, must have been part of the same order in Versailles. Attached is a handwritten document for payment on account made by Monsieur Montégudet in 1911 to pay for for "a sabre for Major Castagner". PROVENANCE - Roger de Montégudet Collection (1880 - 1925) - By descent to this day. The rank of "Chef de Division" mentioned here (meaning naval division) corresponds the rank of general officer. The Minister addressed Castagnier in this capacity in a letter in this capacity in a letter dated 4 August 1800. JEAN-JOSEPH CASTAGNIER (1753 - 1807) PRIVATEER OF THE REVOLUTION Born into a modest family, Jean-Joseph Castagnier was the son of son of Jean Castagnier, a sailor from Sète; his mother, Catherine Abeille Abeille, was from Martégale. At a very young age, he turned to the sea. ten years old when he embarked as a cabin boy on a merchant ship. a merchant ship. The living conditions on board were but the child of the coast adapted quickly. At the age of 14, he joined the navy as a novice, before becoming a seaman at the age of 17. Gifted with a real sense of seamanship and a natural aptitude for command, he quickly rose through the ranks, he quickly rose through the ranks in the King's navy the young Republic. He was finally to the rank of captain. At just 24 years of age he took command of the Comte de Maurepas, a 36-gun vessel of 36 guns, and distinguished himself during the American War of Independence Independence (1775 - 1783). During this period, he was one of the most brilliant French privateer captains of his generation. of his generation. In 1793, he was noticed by the young general Lazare Hoche, then commander of Dunkirk. Hoche appointed him chief of flag, in charge of coastal defence during the siege imposed by the powerful English navy. Castagnier's service record bears witness to an exceptional career exceptional career: second-in-command of the privateer frigate Rohan Soubise (which he eventually commanded himself), he went on to command La Belle Angélique, then La Poursuivante. On board the corvette La République (26 guns), he led the manoeuvre in Wales, during the Fishguard expedition. Fishguard expedition. Although this operation ended in failure, his role was decisive, his role was decisive. Recognised for his efficiency and courage, he was appointed commander of the Northern Fleet in 1797, succeeding the prestigious Rear Admiral Pierre Jean Van Stabel, who died that same year. In 1804, under the Empire, Jean-Joseph Castagnier was made a Knight of the Legion of Honour. He died three three years later, on 5 February 1807, in Rochefort, Charente-Maritime, without ever seeing his home town again. In 1894, in tribute to his heroism during the blockade of Dunkirk, the town named named one of its squares after him, thus perpetuating the memory of this daring sailor, a loyal servant of France at a time of great upheaval. of great upheaval. PROVENANCE : - Roger de Montégudet collection (1880-1925) - by descent to this day.