So, I was given this sword many decades ago by a very cool guy whose ancestry was Finnish and who told me it was a Finnish capture from a Russian officer in the 1917 Winter War. I'm wondering if anyone can actually "pin" this thing for me:
Winter War - Russian sword - or so I was told - any experts out there?
- Thread starter ISCS Yoda
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The letters in the scroll on the blade look more like old German scrip to me than Cyrillic. The overall appearance of the sword also looks more like a style I've seen identified as primarily a German made sword. That doesn't mean a Russian officer couldn't have owned it, the German sword makers sold this pattern on both commercial and contract basis and in the years before WWI there was certainly a great deal of trade in things like this. I don't know how you could prove it was owned by Russian officer unless there are some other marks like a name or a property mark on it somewhere. There does appear to be some markings on the side of the guard but I can't make them out. It is a nice looking one though!
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It looks like one I have that was supposed to be a WW1 German NCO sword that was captured in WW2. Mine doesn't have the engraving on the blade, but the handle looks the same. If I remember right it has a WKC stamp. I will have to look tonight and see.
.455_Hunter
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The official issue sword my grandfather used for ceremonial duties in the WWI AEF was ironically made in Solingen, Germany.
Looks like a German, Solingen made, sword. An uncle brought one back from WWII. Same grip and hand guard/hilt design but with a straight blade. I've seen many like the OPs at local gun shows.
John
John
Shrek Of The Arctic
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For that period, I think the shashka was much more likely, not to say it's impossible. My Grand Pappy's main knife in WW2 was an old German Linder with an old piece of hickory handle from a broken shovel.
Looks very much like a WW1 German Infantry Officer sword.
https://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/ASOAC-EDITION-119-BLAKER.pdf
https://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/ASOAC-EDITION-119-BLAKER.pdf
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