Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Russian war swords...

Chrysostom of the eighteenth century occupied a leading position in Russia for the production of cold, white arms.




Tom helped the Russian war, which required more weapons for new imperial troops, and a decent quality of the mass execution of the white arms Zlatoust armourers. However, it soon took issue other weapons.
Army victoriously fought, conquered the city and country, bravely defended, the Russian soldiers and officers heroically distinguished themselves in battle and had to be worthy of reward.




In the Russian Empire for centuries had its own system of awards for which the soldier distinguished himself in battle with the Order or handed over the medal awarding edged weapon. And in 1774, Empress Catherine II to distinguish a military feats introduced the "Golden Arms" with the inscription "For Courage".

Beginning in the late XVIII century weapons with the inscription "For Bravery" (originally called the "Golden") was one of the most respected martial differences of the Russian Empire. The first related to the regulation of weapons of award should be considered as the Imperial decree of September 28, 1807, awarded compensatory gold sword with holders of the orders.


Palash cuirassier soldier sample 1826


Palash cuirassier soldier sample in 1826 was at the base of the stigma of military acceptance and placed on the back of the engraved inscription: "Zlatoust in February 1831."

And Zlatoust masters along with the mass production of white arms, began to forge the weapons of awarding and decorated.


Award an officer's saber marine samples in 1855 for bravery ", combined with the cross of St. Anne. Blade straight, without Dolov, with an inscription on the butt" Zlatoust in 1864. "


A wonderful prize Cossack officer saber type 1881, which belonged to the famous fencing master of his time, Colonel Vladimir Andreyev.


Prize Cossack officer saber type 1881 release


Blade with two narrow dales, at the base of the blade on the back side - etched ornamental cartouche with the State emblem and the inscription "Zlatoust Op. Fabre.." Black handle is made ​​of black and brown bone handle unit - silver 84 samples, decorated with floral ornaments statutory blackened.

In addition to rewarding weapons were handed military and civil servants, equal in rank to the military authorities.


Reward decorated weapon State Advisor of Nicholas 1

Checker - the golden gun "for bravery"

Officer's sword dragoon type specimen in 1909 - the golden gun "for bravery" during the First World War.

Massive Zlatoustovsky blade is decorated with etched images of the statutory two-headed eagle and monogram of Nicholas II, to butt the blade - the inscription "Golden (oustovskaya) op (uzheynaya) Fabre (ika). The arch - engraved on both sides of the inscription" For Courage "

Ann's block "for bravery"

Dragoon saber type - Golden St. George weapons, combined with the award of the Order of St. Anne's grade 4, with the inscription "For Bravery".




An officer's saber Asiatic troops to the Caucasus Military District, the 1913/17 sample, a gold metal instrument.


With respect to this award checkers pattern in 1913, it should be noted that the sample in '17 by the absence of the Sovereign monograms on the blade and the hilt on the head and arms of the Russian Republic instead of the emblem of the Russian Empire on the blade. Asian type checker has been established for the 16 Regiment of Dragoons, Tver and Nizhny Novgorod Dragoon Regiment 17, but the officers of the elite regiments of the most frequently ordered his checkers according to the established pattern, but the rim of the handle and protective elements cast in silver.


The golden gun "for courage" - an officer's cavalry saber sample award in 1827. Two guards are decorated with bows engraved inscriptions "For Courage". The blade of Damascus steel with a beautiful multi-pattern, without stamps. All the metal device handle and scabbard is made ​​and decorated in the art taushirovki gold on blue steel: the relief of steel substrates neatly jammed pieces of rolled gold leaf - this technique was typical for mid-Zlatoust masters or the end of XIX century.

Saber Cossack officer obr.1881/1910 year. Blade dales at the base of the blade on the front side is a two-headed eagle, and the reverse - a monogram of Nicholas II. On the blade butt placed brand Chrysostom weapon factory.

Since 1913 the Golden gun "for courage" is officially called "George's arms," ​​and was considered one of the differences of the Order of St. George.




Checker "for courage" Knight of St. George


St. George's arms also were awarded and the navy, but such cases were extremely rare.

Dirk small gold St. George "For Courage" issue in 1917.


The interim government, which in 1917 replaced the autocracy, did not last long. Along with the arrival of new workers and peasants of Soviet power came new tradition of awarding honorary weapon. But more about that another time.





1 comment:

  1. Hi all,

    A Russian war sword, whether a curved cavalry saber, an artillery officer's short sword or an engraved presentation sword can be valuable links to that important time in American history. However, collectors should handle and preserve them with care to avoid damaging them. Thanks for sharing it.........

    ReplyDelete