HatEnjoyer
Well-known member
Here is the newest addition to my collection, fresh from Latvia! A rare pewter button worn and lost by a soldier from Napoleon's Artillery Train of The Imperial Guard participating in the 1812 invasion of Russia. Artillery train buttons are easily identifiable due to their rounded face (most French Napoleonic buttons feature completely flat faces) and their pewter construction, which is typical of cavalry buttons (Cuirassiers and dragoons for example would have shiny "silver" buttons while the line infantry had shiny "gold" buttons).
The Artillery Train of The Imperial Guard fought all over Europe, transporting the cannons of the foot and horse gunners so that they could cover and supplement French attacks. Some of the most notable battles they participated in include: Austerlitz (1805), Jena-Auerstedt (1806) where they would assist a decisive cavalry charge against the Prussians, Eylau (1807), Wagram (1809), Borodino and Berezina (1812, the same campaign this specific button is from), and Waterloo (1815).
This button features the signature eagle with crown design seen on all general service buttons of Napoleon's Imperial Guard, along with two crossed cannons located below the eagle's feet to indicate artillery train status. Since the button is made of pewter (a tin/lead alloy), it essentially began crumbling as soon as it was excavated. This led to the loss of the button's outer border, and a bit of the emperor's crown above the eagle's head. I cleaned off all the loose dirt with a soft-bristled toothbrush and stabilized the disintegrating edges by soaking the button in a 50/50 Elmer's glue/water solution.
Edit: It seems that I misidentified this button as being part of the Imperial Guards Horse Artillery Gunners (whoops!)
Soldiers of the Imperial Guard's Artillery Train and Horse Artillery (Alphonse Lalauze):
The Artillery Train of The Imperial Guard fought all over Europe, transporting the cannons of the foot and horse gunners so that they could cover and supplement French attacks. Some of the most notable battles they participated in include: Austerlitz (1805), Jena-Auerstedt (1806) where they would assist a decisive cavalry charge against the Prussians, Eylau (1807), Wagram (1809), Borodino and Berezina (1812, the same campaign this specific button is from), and Waterloo (1815).
This button features the signature eagle with crown design seen on all general service buttons of Napoleon's Imperial Guard, along with two crossed cannons located below the eagle's feet to indicate artillery train status. Since the button is made of pewter (a tin/lead alloy), it essentially began crumbling as soon as it was excavated. This led to the loss of the button's outer border, and a bit of the emperor's crown above the eagle's head. I cleaned off all the loose dirt with a soft-bristled toothbrush and stabilized the disintegrating edges by soaking the button in a 50/50 Elmer's glue/water solution.
Edit: It seems that I misidentified this button as being part of the Imperial Guards Horse Artillery Gunners (whoops!)
Soldiers of the Imperial Guard's Artillery Train and Horse Artillery (Alphonse Lalauze):
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