Medallion of the two swords

The medallion of the two swords , more usually called medallion of vétérance , was a French military decoration of the 18th century.

This decoration was instituted the April 16th 1771 by the king Louis XV. The goal was to support the non-commissioned officers and the soldiers of the row, which could not receive the Ordre of Saint-Louis or the Institution of the military merit, to re-engage itself in the army. The medallion was granted after twenty-four years of service. It opened right to the exemption of the size, the drudgeries and the housing of the troops. The medallion was given at the time of a ceremony where the holder lent oath of fidelity to the king.

The medallion in itself consisted of a laurel wreath surrounding two cross swords. Initially embroidered on the uniform, it was then made out of metal and was carried of the same manner than the Ordre of Saint-Louis. In the event of particularly long service, the medallion could be double - rewarding forty-eight years of service - or triple - rewarding soixante-douze years for service; there was one soldier who accepted triple medallion.

Very popular in the army, the medallion is not removed with the Revolution, which is satisfied to remove the oath of fidelity to the king. Starting from the suppression of the military distinction in 1792, the medallion of the two swords becomes even only French military decoration. It is then allotted to the officers as with the soldiers.

Although no legal text mentions its suppression, the medallion does not seem any more to be allotted starting from 1795.

External bond

very complete Site treating military and civil decorations French

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