Overall length in scabbard 39"; curved 32" triple fullered blade, black lacquered scabbard. Brass hilt with a guard that shows laurel leaves scrolling out from a Red Army star in the center. Nice, well-balanced design. Superimposed star with a hammer and sickle emblem on the pommel. Stamped USSR state emblem on the upper fitting of the scabbard is of 1948-55 style, with 16 scrolls representing the number of republics in the Soviet Union at the time. There are two maker marks stamped next to each other on the chape (lower brass fitting) of the scabbard, a Cyrillic capital letter

Overall length in scabbard 39"; curved 32" triple fullered blade, black lacquered scabbard. Brass hilt with a guard that shows laurel leaves scrolling out from a Red Army star in the center. Nice, well-balanced design. Superimposed star with a hammer and sickle emblem on the pommel. Stamped USSR state emblem on the upper fitting of the scabbard is of 1948-55 style, with 16 scrolls representing the number of republics in the Soviet Union at the time. There are two maker marks stamped next to each other on the chape (lower brass fitting) of the scabbard, a Cyrillic capital letter Б ("B") in cursive and a diamond-shaped mark; the same pair of maker marks are impressed on the leather under the top fitting of the scabbard (on the side opposite the one with the Soviet seal).

The sword is in very good overall condition. Factory-sharpened brilliant blade has a few tiny, barely noticeable nicks to the cutting edge; it is completely free of pitting, tarnish or oxidation, and shows just a minimal in-and-out wear visible only at close inspection.

The lacquer on the scabbard is generally well-preserved, having a couple of chips to the edges that are not very detractive as well as a number of smaller chips, scuffs and indentations that are visible only at closer inspection; the lacquer is overall sound and largely retains its original shiny black surface that does not show significant rubbing or craquelure. An old school approach to the chips would be to carefully apply a black shoe polish; today, most collectors would probably choose to ignore them since they are a part of the saber's history or carefully color them in with a water-based black marker. Although there are a few minor bumps to the pommel and a few minor dings elsewhere, the brass fittings of the scabbard and handle guard show no significant dents. All the brass parts have acquired an extremely attractive even toning and are free of blemishes. The attractive wooden grip is perfectly sound and shows none of the usual cracks or chips. Overall, a very nice piece despite some wear to the scabbard.

Carried by generals and occasionally by other officers who were participating in parades or serving as members of an honor guard detail. This model was most commonly seen in the hands of the two assistants on either side of the unit flag-bearer, hence its colloquial Russian name podznamenka - i.e. literally "the one under the banner".
$1,700.00  Add to cart