RUSSIAN M1868 ARTILLERY SHASHKA

This early production example of Russian Imperial M1868 artillery trooper's shashka is mounted with the regulation 74 cm-long Zlatoust-made blade dated 1870. Various factory inspection marks are stamped on the ricasso and the hilt. Much of the leather is gone from the grip, blade and hilt have acquired a nice patina. M1868 shashka was in use for only 12 years, before being superseded by the more familiar M1881 shashka, and was removed from use. This is a nice example of the uncommon sword, which dates to the Russo-Turkish War and the wars in the Caucasus.