Late 18th century Russian Imperial officer's broad swordof the Life-Guards Horse Heavy Cavalry (Cuirassier) Regiment.
This type of weapon was in use between 1796 and 1810 from the time of Catherine the Great until well into the Napoleonic wars. Marked with maker's initals and silver content 84 stamp on the silver hand guard.
Condition: Original condition, showing some wear especially on the hilt and heavy corrosion on the blade. Some damage on the silver guard as shown.
A Bit of History:
Cuirassiers were mounted heavy cavalry soldiers equipped with armour and firearms, first appearing in late 15th-century Europe. They were the successors of the medieval armoured knights. The term is derived from cuirass, the breastplate armour which they wore. Cuirassiers wore armour long after it had become of limited value in the face of the ever-increasing use of firearms. However, the extent of the armour worn was gradually decreased so that, by the end of the 18th century, it comprised only a breastplate (the cuirass or plastron), backplate (carapace), and helmet. Cuirassiers were generally the senior branch of the mounted arm, retaining their status as heavy cavalry—"big men on big horses".
