COSSACK 'SHASHKA' CAVALRY SWORD

COSSACK 'SHASHKA' CAVALRY SWORD
Fine example of a Soviet World War II-era Cossack 'Shashka', or cavalry saber rig with bayonet. Combined rig is 37 in. overall, with sword having a 31.5 in. blade. Showing a steel bird's-head pommel decorated with an engraved star, hammer and sickle within a floral motif, flanked by the initials 'C.C.C.P'. The pommel shows some oxidation overall, and caps dark-stained grooved wood grip, showing some vertical cracks, and a steel bolster, all secured by a spanner bolt at the base of the pommel. The entire hilt assembly is somewhat loose. The gently curved single-edged steel blade is heavily coated in storage grease, features a shallow fuller and shows minor spots of oxidation and some sharpening. The reverse ricasso is dated '[19]34', beneath an arsenal mark, with additional Cyrillic markings to the obverse. The sword is housed in a wood scabbard covered with dark brown-painted canvas, featuring a steel throat, drag, hanging loops, and a cruciform socket to carry a Mosin-Nagant bayonet which is also present. Traces of red paint remain at the throat. The scabbard shows oxidation to the metal fittings and some chips and cracks to the paint overall. Very good overall.