"St George Weapon" Shashka Inscribed "For Bravery", 1913

Gold award weapons were used to honour military merit in the Russian army from the 18th century; they bore the inscription "For Bravery". Under the new statute of the Order of St George of 1913 they were officially named the St George Weapon; a reduced enamel cross of the order was placed on the hilt, and the hilt was gilded. This shashka is dated the same year, 1913, and was made in Russia, apparently in Zlatoust.

The upper hilt mount and the guard are decorated with chased plant ornament, and the upper mount bears the monogram of Nicholas II. The crossguard is engraved on both sides with the inscription "For Bravery", and at its end there is a hole for the sword knot. The end of the pommel shows traces of the badge of the Order of St George; the badge itself is lost.

The slightly curved blade has a single fuller and a small yelman (widened tip), and is chrome-plated. The brass hilt is gilded. The scabbard is wooden, covered with brown leather, with smooth brass fittings and a bracket and a ring for the shoulder belt.