Buy Militaria: 19th Century French Badges

19th century
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Foot artillery shako plate, 1st regiment, other ranks
- French

This would have been worn on a variety of shakos, the earlier ones being the bell top type, replaced around 1845 by several types with progressively lower crowns. The 1st regiment, La Fere, raised in 1720, was the oldest foot artillery unit of France and the one into which Napoleon Bonaparte was first commissioned in 1785.

Sapeurs Pompiers de la Marine helmet plate
- French

This has to be one of the rarest of the 2nd Empire military fire brigade badges, being the helmet plate for the navy branch. The helmet was a magnificent looking creation in brass with a high comb and fancy chin scales. This would have been worn on the front of the helmet, above the peak and below the crest.

Infantry chasseur officer's gorget
- French

This is the classic French gorget, the shape inherited from the old Napoleonic examples, which usually carried the eagle. With the Bourbon restoration in 1815, the lilies replaced the eagle. Under Napoleon III, a silver Napoleonic eagle replaced the lilies in 1854. The hunting horn indicates a light infantry unit / chasseurs.

Chasseur a Cheval of the Guard officer's cartouche plate
- French

This attribution is based on the central device, which was carried on the sabretache and the cartouche plates of the officers of this unit. The Chasseur a Cheval were Napoleon III's personal escort, in the style of his illustrious uncle. However, this badge was also worn by the cuirassier and dragoon units of the Imperial Guard.

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19th century

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