1840-1880?, Laguiole ,Massoptier ?with Trocar, fly,

[kronckew]

A sword pommel from the Second empire belonging to a high officer of Napoléon François Charles Joseph Bonaparte, Second Empire, around 1860.

[JoeCanada42]

thanks kronkew for sharing, cool stuff to learn more about the bee,
I have heard some people say that story about napoleon was a myth..

I figured that since that piece of the blade lock prior to decoration was called the mouche or fly, (without any decoration it does have the general shape). i figured since it was called a fly it wouldn't take much imagination to decorate it with a fly. and perhaps that's how the fly originated. before being associated with the bee.

or not.

seems its an already debated issue, on first glance i see a fly.

[David R]

Another story about Napoleon's bee is that it was a misinterpretation of the image of the Cicada used by the Merovingian dynasty. The Cicada was used as a symbol of rebirth/resurrection. In a funerary context it makes more sense than a Bee or a Fly.

[JoeCanada42]

Cicada used by the Merovingian dynasty,,, thats very cool thanks for sharing