*Imperial Russian, 1881 Pattern Dragoon Shashka, with Bayonet (Mosin Nagant Infantry Version), and Scabbard, Dated 1909, Unit Marked*
Marked on the ricasso: IH13 KP
Marked on the obverse: Looks like "Златоуст или. Фабр" circle around two hammer and sickles, 1909
Marked on grip: ZLAT.OR.FABR, 1908G.
Marked on obverse: 13KIII, 213, H L
Bayonet marked: ги986, Tula Star, 79
A rare Imperial Russian Model 1881 Dragoon Shashka with its original scabbard and a Mosin Nagant bayonet, manufactured at the Zlatoust Russian state arsenal in 1909.
This shashka features a slightly curved 82 cm blade, single-edged, with one wide fuller. The combat end is double-edged. Arbitrary blades were common. It has clear unit and regiment markings, as well as visible Zlatoust factory marks and a 1909 date. The original black leather scabbard with brass fittings also includes a Mosin Nagant bayonet housed within its brass mounts.
The Zlatoust mark on the blade is interesting as it suggests that this blade was reused by the Soviets who were known to remove all Imperial markings. From 1928, when the production of Soviet sabers of the 1927 model began to 1933, the Zlatoust Arms Factory marked the blade "Златоуст или. Фабр." ("Zlatoust or. Fabr.") with the Soviet emblem of a sickle and hammer replacing the tsar's eagle, and the year displayed nearby.
The shashka is a cut-and-thrust sword with a long, single-edged blade. The Russian army's regulation shashkas were distinct from the Caucasian types in their hilt and scabbard design. The Pattern 1881 shashka was introduced to standardize the various sword patterns used by Russian cavalry, replacing the different types of sabres and broadswords carried by officers, generals, and soldiers. The commission led by General Gorlov combined the hilt of the Pattern 1841 Dragoon Shashka with a Caucasian-style blade, resulting in a thick, single-edged, spear-pointed blade with a broad fuller.
The Cossack version retained its distinctive hilt, and after 1909, Cossacks were permitted to carry their family weapons, provided they were serviceable. The 1881 Dragoon, Cossack, and Officer patterns formed the "system of 1881," worn over the right shoulder with the blade edge facing backward in the Caucasian style. The Dragoon scabbard also included a fitting for holding a bayonet.
Due to their smaller horses, Russian cavalry often operated more as mounted infantry, using their bayonets for dismounted combat. However, they did participate in the last full-scale cavalry battle in history at Jaroslavice on August 21, 1914, where the Russian 10th Cavalry Division clashed with the Austro-Hungarian 4th Cavalry Division.
The accompanying bayonet features a 43 cm cruciform blade.
*Condition*
The blade is in good condition it has some discolouration and pitting. The slotted wooden grips are in very good condition. The retaining nut, consistent with a 1909 production, is scratched. The blade is firm in the hilt. The original scabbard is in very good condition. The bayonet is in good condition and the press button moves easily. All have expected markings commensurate with age and service. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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