Six 19th century continental military edged weapons: a French cavalry officer's sword with cut-down blade 23.5 in., ornate brass hilt with reeded knuckle bow and ebonised grips; a scaled down sword of 1831 artillery type, by Coulaux of Klingenthal, bi-fullered blade 19.5 in., cast brass hilt, brass mounted leather scabbard, possibly a Cadet's example; a French infantry sidearm of briquet type, First Empire period marking, brass mounted scabbard; another similar, possibly Belgian; and two French model 1866 Chassepot bayonets, steel scabbards [6]

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.