National award saber awarded by the Executive Directory to citizen Jacques Blondeau, Adjutant General, made by the Manufacture de Versailles, Boutet Directeur Artiste: Iron hilt with one straight branch worked and pierced at the top; right crosspiece finished with a palmette-shaped quillon, signed, below: "Manufre à Versailles" and "Boutet Directeur Artiste", hallmarked on the top of the bar: "BOUTET" (partly hidden under the fusee), "L D" and "A B"; diamond-shaped mounts with a raised shuttle in the center; German-style cap nicely cut and engraved with fillets, top chased with a spider's web; fusee entirely covered with a triple filigree including a flat iron strip. One-panel curved blade, engraved, gilded and blued in thirds with trophies of arms and foliage; back signed "Klingenthal", ending in a step with a counter-edge; carp tongue tip. Scabbard with wooden core and two large iron fittings, each with a bracelet decorated with fillets and fluting; they end in a half-round and each bear a faceted piton for the hoop rings; the upper part of the chape bears a shaped scabbard entrance, to receive the auricles; the chape, on the front, bears the inscription: "Le Directoire - Exécutif - au Cen Blondeau - adj. Généal", below which are engraved two crossed laurel branches (rather worn attribution); the two fittings are separated by splints, the hollow trimmed with leather; cap finished with a cut, engraved, chased and openworked dart. Length 99.5 cm. (This saber was originally blued and adorned with gold highlights, which disappeared during cleaning; previously taken photos are attached). Directoire period. Good condition. Attached are 7 original personal documents concerning the career of citoyen BLONDEAU and the attribution of this saber: - 23 nivôse an IV (October 15, 1795), appointment as adjutant general, signed by executive commissioner Antoine PILLE (general); - 19 brumaire an VIII (November 10, 1799), two pages announcing to Adjutant-General BLONDEAU that: "by the decree of 4 floréal an VII which grants national rewards to soldiers of the army of Italy who distinguished themselves at the affair of 6 germinal... I have instructed the Director of the Manufacture d'armes de Versailles to give you a belt with the saber you have already received. DUBOIS CRANCÉ" (Minister of War). On the second page: "Extrait des registres du Directoire exécutif du 4 floréal de l'an VII de la République française une et indivisible. Arte 16. A saber will be issued and a letter of satisfaction written to each of the officers named below: BLONDEAU adjudant-general... Signed by BARRAS". - ventôse 4, an VIII (february 21, 1800), letter from lieutenant-general SUCHET, general-in-chief, asking citizen BLONDEAU to join him as chief of staff of the 4th and 5th divisions. - 5 frimaire an XII (27 novembre 1803), letter from the Grand Chancellery of the Legion of Honor announcing to Adjutant-General BLONDEAU that he has been appointed a member of the Legion of Honor, signed by LACÉPÈDE. Attached is the document for the oath. - Circa 1807/1808, handwritten copy of a letter written by Jacques BLONDEAU and sent to Emperor Napoleon requesting promotion in the army. He describes his career and states: "During the wars of the Revolution, I received three sabres of honor for my conduct on Vendémiaire 13 in Paris, Germinal 6, An VII at Lucia before Verona, and Brumaire 18 and 19 at the particular command of Vincennes: your M. I. & R. will perhaps recall that she herself deigned to entrust me with this command... As further proof of your Majesty's confidence, she placed me at the head of the Executive Directory's guard, when it was formed... If Your Majesty deems that these circumstances, 12 years of service in the rank of adjutant-commander and my status as a family man give me some right to His benevolence, I shall dare to beg Him to promote me in the army...". He was appointed brigadier general on October 12, 1808. Also enclosed is an important set of photocopied documents (15 items) concerning Jacques BLONDEAU, including his brevet d'adjudant-général signed by BOUCHOTTE, on the 6th day of the second decade of the 1st month of the second year (October 6 or 7, 1793); another signed: "A. PILLE"; four documents signed by BONAPARTE; another, dated 16 nivôse an IV, from DUVIGNAU, general de brigade, chief of the general staff, to Adjutant-General BLONDEAU, commander of the guard of the Directoire exécutif and two letters from General OUDINOT. The splendor of the Legion of Honor