Russian Staff Officer's sword, 1WW

[valiant]

Hi guys,

is there anyone out there who may be able to offer info regarding pictures of the style of sword carried by the officer on the far left in the accompanying pic, please?

I have done the usual Google search, but to no avail! I am converting a 90mm figure and cant find sword details!

thanks in anticipation,

Steve

 

[housecarl]

Could this be it Steve?

Russian Imperial officer's sword.​

 

[valiant]

Cheers for that Carl - I have found several possibilities, but the pic seems to indicate that it's a straight, thin blade, rather than a sabre type. But again, could just be artistic licence! It could even be down to personal preference, but it's quite confusing!!

Ta!

 

[Gaudin]

It is shaska (Шашка) , cossak cavalry sabre, originating from Caucasus when Russians subdued cherkess tribes - name means "long knife" -hence no guard. Tribal weapons and clothing, horses etc became very exotic and fashionable and were sought after by military personnel who served there, becoming part of uniform eventually because they were also quite practical. Shashka is very common in Russian army thereafter and well through early Soviet times too...

 

[valiant]

Thanks Gaudin - that kind of confirms the pic, as there doesn't appear to be a hand guard visible. The only info I could find said that the Russian officers swords were suspended in the Oriental fashion with the edge uppermost.

Thanks for the pics!

 

[Gaudin]