Late 18th century Russian Imperial broad sword of the lower ranks of the Life-Guards Horse Heavy Cavalry (Cuirassier) Regiment. This typer of weapon was in use between 1796 and 1810 from the time of Catherine the Great until well into the Napoleonic wars..
Description:
The massive blade is double-edged and made of steel. There is an inscription "TO LIFE GUARDS HORSE REGIMENT" on one side and the weapon's number "N 677" on another. Both sides are decorated with etched militaria symbolics. The hilt consists of a handle with eagle head pommel and a brass guard in the shape of the Russian Imperial eagle. The lower part of the guard has a ring for a finger. The wooden handle is covered with black leather and wrapped with twisted brass wire. The original wooden scabbard is leather covered and has steel fittings with T-shape cuts and four metal suspension rings. The sword is 1090 mm long, the blade is 920 mm long and 39 mm wide.
Condition: Very good original condition, showing some wear especially on the scabbard's leather and some corrosion on the scabbard's fittings. Maker's mark "KF" in Cyrillic on the 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".
Similar sword as shown in "Russian Bladed Arms."