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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;TheNickelGuy, post: 8172789, member: 20201&quot;]<font size="6"><b>1900&#039;s Napoleon Bonaparte</b></font></p><p><font size="6"><b>Looped Medal</b></font></p><p><b>Edmond Henri Becker</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>[ATTACH=full]1427932[/ATTACH] </b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>[ATTACH=full]1427933[/ATTACH] </b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Napoleon Bonaparte &amp; Eagle Decors Medal by Edmond Henri Becker ( French artist and sculptor ) 1871-1971</p><p><br /></p><p>From what I understand this particular 1 inch diameter medal is seldom found with &quot;France&quot; on the loop.</p><p>I do believe it is bronze &amp; silver washed.</p><p>All of those I saw do not have this on the loop. I have not determined an exact year these were made but most I have found claim the early 1900&#039;s.</p><p>There is an Eagle on the reverse, possibly in relation to Napoleon&#039;s French Imperial Eagles.</p><p><br /></p><p>Like the Roman legions centuries before them, Napoleon Bonaparte&#039;s armies carried eagles proudly at their head.</p><p>Introduced in 1804, the eagles sat atop blue regimental flagpoles, were sculpted out of bronze and weighed 1.85 kilograms (about four pounds).</p><p>They were made from six separately cast pieces designed along Roman lines and, when assembled, measured 310mm in height and 255mm in width. On the base would be the regiment&#039;s number or, in the case of the Guard, Guarde Imperiale.</p><p>To lose an eagle would bring shame to a fighting unit, which had pledged upon the symbol&#039;s receipt to defend it to the death. </p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1427935[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>One of the most celebrated losses of an eagle came at Waterloo, where Sergeant Charles Ewart of the Scots&#039; Greys captured the cuckoo, as it was nicknamed, of the 45th Line Regiment. For his bravery - he killed at least three defenders - he was given a commission as ensign.</p><p>Many units - particularly dragoons, line and light infantry, were ordered to return their eagles before setting out on a campaign. Many disobeyed the order.</p><p>There are legendary tales of those guarding the eagles to have suffered numerous wounds - including mortal ones - in defending their precious possessions.</p><p>Upon Bonaparte&#039;s fall, the restored monarchy of Louis XVIII ordered all eagles to be destroyed and only a very small number escaped the vengeful act.</p><p>When the former emperor returned to power in 1815 he immediately had more eagles produced, although the quality did not match the originals. The workmanship was of a lesser quality and the main distinguishing changes had the new models with closed beaks and they were set in a more crouched posture.</p><p>After Waterloo, many eagles were again destroyed - almost 100 of them - but today there are a little over 130 in existence.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1427934[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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