A RARE RUSSIAN DRAGOON OFFICER’S SHASHKA M1881/09 “FOR BRAVERY” WITH ST. ANNA IV CLASS ORDER AND

A RARE RUSSIAN DRAGOON OFFICER’S SHASHKA M1881/09 “FOR BRAVERY” WITH ST. ANNA IV CLASS ORDER AND ORIGINAL PORTEPEE
Origin: Russia, 1908-1909.
Blade: older blade used in trooper’s shashkas, steel slightly bent single edged blade with one wide fuller both sides. Zlatoust manufactory stamp on ricasso (in Cyrillic), on other side 1909, probably production date.
A Shashka is a cutting and thrust long bladed edged weapon. The Russian army regulation shashkas were distinctively different from the Caucasian type shashka in their hilt and scabbard organization. The pattern 1881 shashka came in 1881 to replace the cavalry dragoons and infantry sabres and cuirassiers broadswords of all the officers and generals authorized to carry them. In 1909 the hilt was somewhat changed. The grip’s incline was made steeper, abulge appeared in mid-grip, pommel was decorated with Tsar’s monogram. The grip’s grooves became crosswise and deeper and other changes were made.
The Russian Provisional Government was a provisional government of the Russian Republic after the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II (March 15, 1917). The intention of the Provisional Government was the organization of elections to the Russian Constituent Assembly and its convention. The government was initially composed of the Kadet coalition led by Prince Georgy Lvov, which was replaced by the Socialist coalition led by Alexander Kerensky. The Provisional Government lasted approximately eight months, and ceased to exist when the Bolsheviks seized power after the October Revolution (or November 1917, depending on Calendar Dating Styles).
Provisional Government arms were exactly same as during imperial period, but devoid of any ornaments linked to the Empire or the Tsar. Due to the fact that the Provisional Government acted only eight months, arms from this period are extremely rare.
Blade: slightly curved, single edged, with one wide fullers both sides. Stamped Zlatoust on ricasso, on other side: 1909.
Hilt: closed brass guard connected to the brass pommel. Inscription “За Храбрость“ (For Bravery) on the lower part of the guard, both sides. Monogram of Nicolas II on the pommel. Order of St. Anna IV class on the top of the pommel.
Scabbard: wooden scabbard with brass fittings typical for officer’s swords, covered with black leather. Top mount stamped with A. Chape stamped ZOF (Cyrillic, for Zlatoust Arms Manufactory) and dated 1908.
Sword comes with the original portepee for St. Anna sabers.
Condition report on demand.
Total length in scabbard – 100,2 cm; without scabbard – 91,6 cm, length of the blade – 78,4 cm; width – 32 mm; thickness – 5,5 mm.

Keywords: sword, saber, sabre, Sabel, Schwert, szabla, szablya, glaive, Dolch, hanger, сабля шашка драгунка орден анны