This 1845 is a rare find. Not only are 0fficer 1845s from Chatellerault are uncommon, it is even more so to find one marked to the entrepreneurs Creuzé and Proa. The duo were the second entrepreneurs to manage the manufacture for the French State. They held the position from 1835 to 1851, Creuzé continuing on his own until 1866. Entrepreneurs were private individuals who were given a contract by the army to manage the production of weapons at the State owned manufacture of Chatellerault. As part of the legislation around the war manufactures, the entrepreneur was allowed to keep a private business on the side, an to sell blades made at the manufacture, either discarded for minor cosmetics faults, or inspected by their own staff.
Creuzé and Proa were from the two most powerful families in Chatellerault, and ruled the manufacture for decades. They were responsible for hiring and managing the production staff, as well as maintain the space and machinery. Even though they stayed there long, it is rare to find a sword blade bearing their names.
The sword has the typical feel of a Chatellerault piece, mostly thanks to Chatellerault meatier blades. It has a few traces of light pitting, but is otherwise in excellent shape. A nice example of an 1845, by the factory which produced most of the high end swords, as the testing and attention to detail was methodically carried.
SOLD
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