Beschreibung:

With curved fullered blade double-edged towards the point of flattened diamond section and etched with a design of watering overall, decorated over most of its length on each side with finely etched and gilt scrolling foliage terminating in grotesque bird and animal heads and inhabited by fantastical beasts and lion-masks, framing two etched and gilt military standard bearers along one side, a cavalry officer and the figure of Victory above an Imperial Russian eagle on the other, the forte on one side engraved with owner's initials 'V.P.' in Russian above '1861-1877', and with the inscription 'In Memory' in Russian on the other, regulation gilt-brass hilt with diagonally fluted grip, knuckle-guard extending to form a downcurved ring-quillon and engraved 'For Bravery' in Russian along each side, quillon stamped by the hilt makers 'The Shaf Sons, St. Petersburg', beneath an Imperial eagle on top and numbered '3' beneath, and raised ovoidal pommel-cap with applied red enamelled gilt-brass Order of St. Anne fourth class, in original black textile-covered wooden scabbard with gilt-brass locket, chape and suspension mount, the last with D-shaped ring for suspension, and retaining much of its original gilding overall 84 cm. blade