(Schaschka) A unique and extremely well-preserved Red Army-issued shashka presented to Major Graf von Rittberg, Wehrmacht liaison to 3. Kosaken-Plastun (Infantry)- Division, measuring 980 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features an 805-mm long curved magnetic steel blade with a sharpened edge and tip, with a three-quarter fuller set into each side. One side of the blade bears an etched dedication of “UNSERM RITTMEISTER - DIE PARTISANENJÄGER 6 - JANUAR 1943”. Stamped onto the ricasso are a Russian Cyrillic maker’s mark of “ЗИК” for the Zlatoust factory, a manufacture year of “1941”, and an inspection mark of “M”. The blade sits securely within a brass crossguard, transitioning into a ribbed wooden handle grip, with the former similarly bearing a stamped “M” inspection mark. The shashka completes with a highly-detailed brass hilt bearing a stylized Soviet sickle and hammer coat of arms, topped by Russian Cyrillic initials “C.C.C.P.”. A hollow channel has been set through the hilt. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a light wooden shaft, painted with a lacquered finish. Both the throat and tip features bronze fixtures secured in place with side rivets, with the throat fixture retaining a functional spring clip, securely holding the shashka in place during storage. The shaft also features three additional fixtures, one of which bears a loop for uniform attachment, with a period original portepee looped through the upper two fixtures, and all three featuring a hollow channel for the storage of a bayonet. While very well-preserved, the shashka displays some issues consistent with age and use, including running marks and oxidation of the blade, in addition to some oxidation of the brass and bronze features, as well as loss of scabbard paint. This unique presentation shashka is in an overall near extremely fine condition.
Footnote: Personnel of 3. Kosaken-Infanterie-Division were among the Wehrmacht Cossack volunteers who surrendered to British forces at Lienz, Austria, only to be betrayed and forcibly repatriated to the Soviet Union, where most were executed.
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