INFANTRY HONOUR SABRE, KNOWN AS A “BRIQUET,” AWARDED BY THE FIRST CONSUL TO CITIZEN LOUIS ROCH PLOMION, SERGEANT IN THE 55TH LINE DEMI-BRIGADE; APPOINTMENT DATED 1ST VENDÉMIAIRE, YEAR XII, CONSULATE.
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**INFANTRY SWORD OF HONOUR, KNOWN AS A “BRIQUET,” AWARDED BY THE FIRST CONSUL TO CITIZEN LOUIS ROCH PLOMION, SERGEANT IN THE 55th LINE DEMI-BRIGADE; APPOINTMENT DATED 1st VENDÉMIAIRE, YEAR XII. CONSULATE PERIOD.**
Silver hilt, with single-branch guard decorated with filets; quillon ending in a gadrooned button; plain pommel cap, secured at the end by a silver nail; wooden grip covered in calfskin and bound with silver wire. The guard bears the oval “B Y” hallmark of controller Denis Brouilly (September 1800–November 1805), as well as a circular mark bearing the letter “D,” for inspector d’Audigné.
The regulation blade was replaced in period by a slightly curved officer’s blade with a lateral fuller, 75.6 cm long, engraved with trophies and signed at the ricasso “... fourbisseur à Metz” (“... sword-cutler in Metz”). The name “Spol” has been erased, a modification probably made when its owner was promoted to officer rank under the Empire.
Heavy leather scabbard with two silver mounts; the locket, with button stud, engraved on the reverse:
*“Le premier Consul au Cen Plomion Louis Roch Sergent de La 55ème 1/2 Brigade de Ligne pour Action D’Éclat - Mfre à Versailles Etreprse Boutet”*
(“The First Consul to Citizen Louis Roch Plomion, Sergeant of the 55th Line Demi-Brigade, for a Distinguished Action – Manufactory at Versailles, Boutet Establishment.”)
Silver chape with an iron drag in the form of a button.
Overall length: **91 cm.**
Fairly good condition. Service wear to the calfskin grip; the wire binding is damaged but not broken at the lower section. The blade has lost its bluing and gilding and shows scattered oxidation spots. Scabbard varnish is flaking.
**France.**
**Consulate period.**
### BIOGRAPHY
Louis Roch Plomion, born on 15 August 1764 in the department of the Somme, was a French general.
He enlisted on 11 November 1782 in the 58th Line Infantry Regiment, serving in the Spanish campaigns of 1782–1783, at Brest Roads in 1790, and in America in 1791.
Promoted corporal on 1 October 1790, he became quartermaster-sergeant on 1 January 1791 and sergeant on 15 March 1792.
He served with the Armies of the Ardennes, the North, and Sambre-et-Meuse from 1792 through Year IV, distinguishing himself particularly on 8 May 1793 during the action in the Bois de Bonne-Espérance near Valenciennes, where he was wounded in the left leg by gunfire. Transferred to the Army of Italy, he campaigned there from Year V through Year VIII inclusive.
On 30 Prairial, Year VII, during the Battle of the Trebbia, in the village of Castel-San-Juan, he accompanied, alone, the adjutant-major Reboul of his battalion. Together, they compelled a detachment of twenty Austrian soldiers concealed in a garden to lay down their arms, and took them prisoner.
On 1 Messidor, during the same action, the 3rd Battalion of the 55th was exposed to the devastating fire of two artillery pieces, which were inflicting severe losses upon its ranks. The brigade commander requested a non-commissioned officer and thirty volunteers to seize the guns. Sergeant Plomion was the first to step forward and was soon joined by the requested volunteers. Undeterred by the danger, these brave soldiers crossed a Russian column and captured the guns after killing all the artillerymen serving them. However, attacked by overwhelming forces, they were compelled to abandon the pieces after fighting with exceptional intrepidity.
Upon returning from enemy captivity, he joined the depot of his regiment at Rouen. Shortly thereafter, the First Consul passed through the town and reviewed the garrison. He asked whether, among the returning prisoners, there were any whose courage had remained unrewarded. Plomion was presented to him and received from his hand a Sword of Honour. The certificate is dated 10 Prairial, Year XI.
He subsequently served in the Year IX campaign with the Army of Batavia.
Promoted sergeant-major on 11 Thermidor, Year XI, he was commissioned second lieutenant on 7 Vendémiaire, Year XII. He served with the Army of the Coasts of the Ocean during Years XII and XIII, then took part, with the Grande Armée, in the Austrian, Prussian and Polish campaigns from Year XIV through 1807.
Promoted lieutenant on 23 February 1807, he served with distinction in Spain from 1808 to 1810, and was made captain on 4 March of the latter year.
Appointed adjutant-major in charge of clothing on 1 January 1813, he was promoted to battalion commander by Imperial decree of 1 March that same year.
During the Saxon campaign of 1813, Commander Plomion once again demonstrated his courage and military ability, notably at the Battle of Dresden, where he earned the Officer’s Cross of the Legion of Honour; his patent was issued on 19 September 1813.
Taken prisoner of war at the capitulation of Dresden on 1 December of that year, he returned to France on 24 July 1814. He was placed on retirement on 1 August and withdrew to Péronne, where he enjoyed the esteem and respect of his fellow citizens.
Commander Plomion completed thirty-two years of active service and twenty-three campaigns.
Silver hilt, with single-branch guard decorated with filets; quillon ending in a gadrooned button; plain pommel cap, secured at the end by a silver nail; wooden grip covered in calfskin and bound with silver wire. The guard bears the oval “B Y” hallmark of controller Denis Brouilly (September 1800–November 1805), as well as a circular mark bearing the letter “D,” for inspector d’Audigné.
The regulation blade was replaced in period by a slightly curved officer’s blade with a lateral fuller, 75.6 cm long, engraved with trophies and signed at the ricasso “... fourbisseur à Metz” (“... sword-cutler in Metz”). The name “Spol” has been erased, a modification probably made when its owner was promoted to officer rank under the Empire.
Heavy leather scabbard with two silver mounts; the locket, with button stud, engraved on the reverse:
*“Le premier Consul au Cen Plomion Louis Roch Sergent de La 55ème 1/2 Brigade de Ligne pour Action D’Éclat - Mfre à Versailles Etreprse Boutet”*
(“The First Consul to Citizen Louis Roch Plomion, Sergeant of the 55th Line Demi-Brigade, for a Distinguished Action – Manufactory at Versailles, Boutet Establishment.”)
Silver chape with an iron drag in the form of a button.
Overall length: **91 cm.**
Fairly good condition. Service wear to the calfskin grip; the wire binding is damaged but not broken at the lower section. The blade has lost its bluing and gilding and shows scattered oxidation spots. Scabbard varnish is flaking.
**France.**
**Consulate period.**
### BIOGRAPHY
Louis Roch Plomion, born on 15 August 1764 in the department of the Somme, was a French general.
He enlisted on 11 November 1782 in the 58th Line Infantry Regiment, serving in the Spanish campaigns of 1782–1783, at Brest Roads in 1790, and in America in 1791.
Promoted corporal on 1 October 1790, he became quartermaster-sergeant on 1 January 1791 and sergeant on 15 March 1792.
He served with the Armies of the Ardennes, the North, and Sambre-et-Meuse from 1792 through Year IV, distinguishing himself particularly on 8 May 1793 during the action in the Bois de Bonne-Espérance near Valenciennes, where he was wounded in the left leg by gunfire. Transferred to the Army of Italy, he campaigned there from Year V through Year VIII inclusive.
On 30 Prairial, Year VII, during the Battle of the Trebbia, in the village of Castel-San-Juan, he accompanied, alone, the adjutant-major Reboul of his battalion. Together, they compelled a detachment of twenty Austrian soldiers concealed in a garden to lay down their arms, and took them prisoner.
On 1 Messidor, during the same action, the 3rd Battalion of the 55th was exposed to the devastating fire of two artillery pieces, which were inflicting severe losses upon its ranks. The brigade commander requested a non-commissioned officer and thirty volunteers to seize the guns. Sergeant Plomion was the first to step forward and was soon joined by the requested volunteers. Undeterred by the danger, these brave soldiers crossed a Russian column and captured the guns after killing all the artillerymen serving them. However, attacked by overwhelming forces, they were compelled to abandon the pieces after fighting with exceptional intrepidity.
Upon returning from enemy captivity, he joined the depot of his regiment at Rouen. Shortly thereafter, the First Consul passed through the town and reviewed the garrison. He asked whether, among the returning prisoners, there were any whose courage had remained unrewarded. Plomion was presented to him and received from his hand a Sword of Honour. The certificate is dated 10 Prairial, Year XI.
He subsequently served in the Year IX campaign with the Army of Batavia.
Promoted sergeant-major on 11 Thermidor, Year XI, he was commissioned second lieutenant on 7 Vendémiaire, Year XII. He served with the Army of the Coasts of the Ocean during Years XII and XIII, then took part, with the Grande Armée, in the Austrian, Prussian and Polish campaigns from Year XIV through 1807.
Promoted lieutenant on 23 February 1807, he served with distinction in Spain from 1808 to 1810, and was made captain on 4 March of the latter year.
Appointed adjutant-major in charge of clothing on 1 January 1813, he was promoted to battalion commander by Imperial decree of 1 March that same year.
During the Saxon campaign of 1813, Commander Plomion once again demonstrated his courage and military ability, notably at the Battle of Dresden, where he earned the Officer’s Cross of the Legion of Honour; his patent was issued on 19 September 1813.
Taken prisoner of war at the capitulation of Dresden on 1 December of that year, he returned to France on 24 July 1814. He was placed on retirement on 1 August and withdrew to Péronne, where he enjoyed the esteem and respect of his fellow citizens.
Commander Plomion completed thirty-two years of active service and twenty-three campaigns.
Reference :
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FOR ALL PURCHASES, PAYMENT IN MULTIPLE CHECKS POSSIBLE
bertrand.malvaux@wanadoo.fr 06 07 75 74 63
An authenticity certificate of the item including the description published on the site, the period, the sale price, accompanied by one or more color photographs is automatically provided for any item priced over 130 euros. Below this price, each certificate is charged 5 euros.
Only items sold by me are subject to an authenticity certificate, I do not provide any expert reports for items sold by third parties (colleagues or collectors).