A fine quality Caucasian shasqua, the curved 80cm multi-grooved blade back-edged and with etched patterns, fine quality characteristic hilt deeply chased with typical floral patterns on a finely stippled ground, bands of nielloed flowers and borders of silver filigree work, the pommel fiitted with silver monogram of Czar Alexander II, complete with its wood scabbard covered with brown leather having four nielloed silver mounts decorated en-suite to the hilt, the top chape with shaped edge and belt fitting to reverse, some wear to surface of scabbard leather and the suspension ring a replacement, otherwise in fine condition throughout £2000-2500

Apparently presented to a British Naval officer in 1918 and sold together with a large carved wood wall plaque presented to the same recipiant, carved overall with the Imperial Russian arms, and a dual-language insciption in Russian and French dated ‘I.VIII.1914-II.XI.1918 Touapse’, an old paper label attached to the reverse incribed in ink ‘Presented to Captain G. N. Tomlin MVO RN HMS Liverpool, Commanding allied squadron visiting Touapse 27 November 1918’. Captain Tomlins’ diaries are known to exist and originally accompanied the sword and plaque, and an entry for 26 November 1918, mentions a ‘Sword of Honour’ presented to him by the British residents of Novorossick at a reception at the British consulate which may refer to the above sword.