Full Dress Sabre: Tambour Major de la Garde, c.1810.   The Tambour Major was the Tete de Colonne for all Infantry units in the Grande Armee, and none was above the Tambour-Major de la Garde.  This particular sabre is superior to all other specimens encountered. with numerous marks of distinction and fine ornamentation of La Garde Imperiale.  The 30 inch blade has blue and gilt decoration below the hilt, with crossed arms and floral devices with 90% of the blue preserved and all gilt present at the upper end.  The diamond cut ebony hilt has a gilded lion head pommel, a double chain knucklebow leading to the quillon and superb Garde Imperiale Crowned Eagle shield longets.   The gilded brass scabbard is a work of art and in excellent condition with relief decoration on one side and engraved motifs on the other. Highlights include a crowned Imperial Eagle oval frog attachment and four raised panels with classical armour and arms, a lion attacking the figure of Liberty, dueling hussars and Fasces at the base, above a broad arrow shaped drag.  A remarkable artifact.