An Imperial Russian Model 1881 Type Shashka, the 80.5cm single edge steel blade with two narrow fullers to the back edge, one side of the blade engraved with the Russian double headed eagle, the opposing side with two cyrillic marks at the ricasso, the brass stirrup hilt with ring pierced downward scroll quillon, diagonally ribbed ebony grip and brass mounted black leather scabbard, 95cm

Footnote : - The vendor's grandfather was a Lieutenant with the Royal Naval Reserve in the First World War, working with the White Russians to protect supplies falling into German or Bolshevik hands. The Royal Navy seized the Russian cruiser Askold from the Bolsheviks in Kola Bay in 1918. The cruiser was then commissioned as HMS Glory IV (nicknamed Packet of Woodbines due to its five very thin funnels). The aforementioned Lieutenant was on board the ship from 19th November 1918 until 30th April 1919, and acquired the sword at this time.