FREITAG, 23. MAI 2025 
An Imperial Result: Napoleon’s Personal Sabre Fetches €4.7 Million
A fter a fierce battle between several international bidders, this exceedingly rare sabre—commissioned by Napoleon himself—fetched €4,663,900 under the hammer.
Initially estimated at between €700,000 and €1 million, it came close to the world record of €4.8 million set in 2007, joining the very select circle of the most valuable Napoleonic artefacts ever sold at auction.
Alexandre Giquello commented: “This sabre brings together everything sought after by great collectors: a masterpiece steeped in history with impeccable provenance. It is a manifest object, standing at the crossroads of art, history, and power. Its appearance at auction will remain one of the highlights of the year at Drouot. For an auctioneer, it is a rare privilege to present such an iconic piece.”
A symbol of his rise to power, Bonaparte’s sabre—by the time he became Napoleon—marks a pivotal moment in imperial history. Then First Consul, Bonaparte commissioned the weapon in 1803 from Nicolas-Noël Boutet, director of the Versailles Manufactory and the most celebrated gunsmith of his era.
Alexandre Giquello commented: “This sabre brings together everything sought after by great collectors: a masterpiece steeped in history with impeccable provenance. It is a manifest object, standing at the crossroads of art, history, and power. Its appearance at auction will remain one of the highlights of the year at Drouot. For an auctioneer, it is a rare privilege to present such an iconic piece.”
A symbol of his rise to power, Bonaparte’s sabre—by the time he became Napoleon—marks a pivotal moment in imperial history. Then First Consul, Bonaparte commissioned the weapon in 1803 from Nicolas-Noël Boutet, director of the Versailles Manufactory and the most celebrated gunsmith of his era.
This masterpiece, a flawless example of French excellence, required several months of work before being delivered in 1804 to the newly crowned Emperor of the French. Captivated by its quality, Napoleon kept it for personal use throughout his reign, later gifting it upon his return from Elba to Emmanuel de Grouchy, the sole Marshal of France under the Empire. The Emperor had a second, identical sabre made, which is now held by the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.
A potent symbol of power and history, this extraordinary sabre had remained in the Grouchy family since 1815. It was being presented at public auction for the very first time.
