SWORD AND SCABBARD
Creator(s): Spaga ((Possibly))
Currently in storage
About this object
This St. George's sword (shashka) with a Badge of St. Anne is made of cold steel mounted with a gilt brass knuckle bow-style grip. A small enamel badge of the Order of St. Anne is affixed to the langet, but the center is extremely damaged. The gilt brass grip of this officer's weapon is decorated with neoclassical ornament. The knuckle bow is inscribed with the phrase "Za khrabrost'" (For Bravery/Gallantry) on both sides. The leather scabbard is fitted with three gilt brass mounts, all ornamented with a pattern of laurel leaves. The first, located near the handle, has been affixed with crude screws. The second holds the ring band from which hangs an orange and black striped silk ribbon ending in a large tassel made of metal threads wrapped around orange and black silk. The final section is mounted on the tip of the scabbard and decorated with a loose pattern of laurel leaves. There should be a miniature St. George's cross in enamel mounted to the cap piece, but it appears to have been broken off. The steel blade is profusely decorated with military trophies, rococo scrolls with fretwork and, on one side, the Great Seal of the Russian Empire. This sword and scabbard were made after a pattern introduced in 1913, when gilt brass was substituted for gold in order to economize.
- Object name:
- SWORD AND SCABBARD
- Made from:
- Steel -- gilt brass -- leather -- silk -- enamel -- metal thread
- Made in:
- Moscow, Russia
- Date made:
- ca. 1914
- Size:
- H. 34 1/2 in., W. 4 3/4 in. (handle) (sword); H. 30 3/4 in., W. 3 in. (scabbard)
Detailed information for this item
- Catalog number:
- 19.1.1-2
- Signature marks:
- inscription [cipher of Nicholas II] inscription [Cyrillic] Za khrabrost' Engraved in Cyrillic italics on both sides of the knuckle bow (guard) maker's mark (?) [Cyrillic] SPAGA MOSKVA Inscribed or stamped on the interior of the knuckle guard where it meets the handle. Trans: SPAGA, MOSCOW. This was probably the name of the firm that produced the handle.
- Credit line:
- Gift of George Dunning, 2001