Need Help wit this Sword

[Historian76]

This sword has been in my family for decades. My parents believe it was my Grandfather's, who did serve in the U.S. military in WW1. I would like to believe that but with all of my research and outside of the date, I have never been able to tie this sword to any particular conflict or period. The sword is 28 3/4 inches (98.4cm) long in the sheath. Does anyone have any idea about this sword?

[Australia]

Russian sword Shashka - From period of Tzar Nicolay II (1894-1917).

They can fetch a good dollar

[Historian76]

Thanks Australia. This has been a puzzle to me for nearly 30 years. I was always searching U.S. Swords / edged weapons. And they do seem to grab a dollar. Maybe I can trade it for a helmet.

[Richie B]

A model 1881 Dragoon version I think. There are a lot of fakes around but I will stick my neck out and say this one one looks good to me.

Australia is right - "They can fetch a good dollar"

[Scout]

As above - a Shashka.

Ive seen this faked in markets in Eastern Europe and there are fakes versions of these sold in heaps on that internet auction place.

For some reason, there are many many fakes of this around.

[Adrian Stevenson]

I like it.

[Richie B]

I knew I had a relevant photo somewhere - shows the Dragoon and Cossack patterns.

[Wagriff]

Dragoon's had a guard on the grips and the Cossack's did not?

[Richie B]

Dragoon's had a guard on the grips and the Cossack's did not?

Yes that is correct I believe.

[DrPMC]

[QUOTE=Historian76;1064251]This sword has been in my family for decades. My parents believe it was my Grandfather's, who did serve in the U.S. military in WW1.[QUOTE]

I wondered if there was any chance that your Grandfather was among the US forces involved in the allied intervention in the Russian Civil War?

Philip