Extremely rare Dragoon sword ( Palash ) from the period of Peter I the Great, dated “1710”. Overall length 39 in. ( 100 cm). Museum rarity piece.

Blade

German Solingen blade is engraved with Russian czarist eagle and inscription in Latin “VIVAT ZAAR PETER ALEXEIAS 1710” (Vivat Czar Peter Alexeevich 1710). A similar legend on a Dragoon palash is illustrated in “The Russian Weapons XI-XIX centuries”, 1953, page 23. According to that book the blades for the army of Peter I were made in Germany, in Solingen and in Russia, in Olonez (Olonets).

The blade is straight and double-edged.

The Dragoon Regiments were introduced by Peter I in 1711. I believe that this palash is one of the earliest known. Both pieces at the State Historical Museum in Moscow, which are described in the book mentioned above are dated 1716 and 1718.

This blade is in better condition than a similar and the only cavalry palash blade dating back to the time of Peter I displayed in the St Petersburg Military Historical Museum, which holds the largest collection of weapons in Russia (44,000 pieces).

Hilt & Grip

The hilt is made of steel and has a maker’s mark – horse head. The round-shaped guard piece is decorated with crowned initials “CB” in Slavic style. The grip is made of wood and is in perfect condition. The hilt is original, and dates back to the same time as the blade, what is very rare, since most of the survived blades have later brass hilts.

Scabbard

The original leather covered wooden scabbard is decorated with a gilded cross and a Slavic style inscription over the black background. The inscription is ( SPASI GOSPODI LYUDI TVOYA), English translation ” GOD, SAVE THY PEOPLE”. Leather of the scabbard is in excellent condition.