France, Dec. 3 -- The dress sword carried by Napoleon Bonaparte when he staged a coup in 1799 goesunder the hammer this weekend along with five other weapons that belonged to the French emperor.

The lot, which will be put up for auction from the 3rd to the 5th of December by the Illinois-based Rock Island Auction Company, is valued at between $1.5 million and $3.5 million.

The sword, with its scabbard, is the collection's "crown jewel", said the auctioneers, who will host the sale both in person and online.

The weapon was made by Nicolas-Noel Boutet, who was director of the state arms factory in Versailles.

After being crowned emperor, Napoleon is believed to have presented the sword to general Jean-Andoche Junot, but the general's wi...