France, Reign of Louis XV. - Lot 54

France, Reign of Louis XV. Patent on vellum of the medallion or Order of the Two Swords, known as the Order of Vetérance, instituted on April 16, 1771. Awarded to Sieur Claude FRANGET, Maréchal des Logis in the Régiment de Lorraine Dragon à la Compagnie de Varennes, for 24 consecutive years of service. Done at Versailles on April 28, 1774. Handwritten signature of the Duc d'Aiguillon, Minister and Secretary of State for the War Department and Foreign Affairs. Patent with vignette depicting the crowned globe with the coat of arms of France emblazoned with flag clusters on a radiant, cloudy background, decorated with flags, breastplates, shields and cannons. At top left, an oval medallion with two crossed swords. (Patina of time, folds and very slight stains. Good condition). 31 x 23.5 cm. Note: Emmanuel-Armand de Vignerot du Plessis-Richelieu, Duc d'Aiguillon (1720-1788), Pair de France (1740), Maréchal de camp (1748), Commandant en chef en Bretagne (1753-1768), Secrétaire d'État des Affaires étrangères (1771-1774) and Secrétaire d'État de la Guerre (1774). The medallion of the two swords encouraged low-ranking officers and non-commissioned servicemen, who were not eligible for the Order of Saint-Louis or Military Merit, to re-enlist in the army. The medallion was awarded after twenty-four years of service. The medallion of vetérance was not abolished during the Revolution and does not appear to have been awarded after 1795, but it was prohibited from being worn.