Republic of the Seven United Islands sword

Pertinax · 30th September 2025, 12:32 PM

Fyodor Fyodorovich Ushakov (February 13, 1745 – October 2, 1817) was a Russian naval commander, commander of the Black Sea Fleet (1790–1798); commander of the Russo-Turkish squadron in the Mediterranean (1798–1800); admiral (1799); and renowned throughout the East as the invincible "Ushak Pasha."

By his own account, he never lost a single ship in battle, and none of his subordinates were captured. Ushakov won five major naval battles and suffered no defeats.

In 2001, the Russian Orthodox Church canonized him as a righteous warrior. During the Mediterranean campaign of 1798-1800, Vice-Admiral F. F. Ushakov distinguished himself as a major naval commander, a skilled politician, and a statesman during the establishment of the Greek Septisi Republic under the protectorate of Russia and Turkey. Upon the Russian fleet's departure from the Ionian Islands to the Black Sea, the Cephalonians, as a token of their gratitude, presented Ushakov with a large gold medal bearing images of the admiral (inscribed around it: "The valiant and pious Fyodor Ushakov, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Fleet"), the fortress of Corfu, and the islet of Vido, with two French ships moored between them and six Russian ships in front of Vido (inscribed: "To the savior of all the Ionian Islands, Cephalonia").

Among his many awards, he was awarded the Golden Weapon (of the Septisi Republic).

I have been trying unsuccessfully to obtain information about this weapon for a long time. Does anyone have any information about this weapon?

The portrait presented was painted after the admiral's death, depicting a very interesting sword. What is this? Is it the same award sword, or is it a figment of the artist's imagination?

For reference:
Republic of the Seven United Islands, was an oligarchic republic that existed from 1800 to 1807 under nominal Russian and Ottoman sovereignty in the Ionian Islands (Corfu, Paxoi, Lefkada, Cephalonia, Ithaca, Zakynthos or Zante, and Kythira).

Jim McDougall · 1st October 2025, 06:21 PM

Yuri! THIS is REALLY esoteric!
I honestly had never heard of these situations amidst the incredible complexity of those regions, but with your location and history in the Black Sea areas it is understandable you would be interested.

While I do not have adequate resources in these topics, in my thinking this sword seems too detailed to have been from the artists imagination. Typically I presume the studded leather grip would have been foregone for a more elaborate entirely gold metal styling as smallswords of the time would have.

If I understand correctly from references years ago, the Russian military and Navy were quite fond of elaborate awards with and on edged weapons. While the title 'Golden Weapon of the Septisi Republic' suggested some sort of regalia award that was a standard in place, it is obscure and would be hard to find in general resources with the limited and esoteric area.

Still, maybe by comparing extant patterns of Russian swords of the time we might find something of influence.

Pertinax · 1st October 2025, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Yuri! THIS is REALLY esoteric!
I honestly had never heard of these situations amidst the incredible complexity of those regions, but with your location and history in the Black Sea areas it is understandable you would be interested.

While I do not have adequate resources in these topics, in my thinking this sword seems too detailed to have been from the artists imagination. Typically I presume the studded leather grip would have been foregone for a more elaborate entirely gold metal styling as smallswords of the time would have.

If I understand correctly from references years ago, the Russian military and Navy were quite fond of elaborate awards with and on edged weapons. While the title 'Golden Weapon of the Septisi Republic' suggested some sort of regalia award that was a standard in place, it is obscure and would be hard to find in general resources with the limited and esoteric area.

Still, maybe by comparing extant patterns of Russian swords of the time we might find something of influence.

Jim—that's not a Russian weapon.

F. Ushakov was awarded a golden weapon by the Republic of the Seven United Islands. And if that sword is indeed in the portrait, it has diamonds, not rivets.

Before reading F. Ushakov's biography, I had no idea this state existed. So the question arose: was this the only award or were there other precedents?

Jim McDougall · Yesterday, 01:04 AM

Well that makes sense Yuri.......while the Russian rule was nominal, and though Ushakov was Russian, this sword was of course Septisi.
Actually thats a relief, as references on Russian swords are pretty much like 'hens teeth' around here, so I wont need to try to find these.

So this unique sword has to be either Cephalonian or Septisi, and I am not sure where to find references on this, but certainly anxious to see what might be found on this.

30th September 2025, 12:32 PM	#1
Pertinax Member Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: City by the Black Sea Posts: 292	Republic of the Seven United Islands sword Fyodor Fyodorovich Ushakov (February 13, 1745 – October 2, 1817) was a Russian naval commander, commander of the Black Sea Fleet (1790–1798); commander of the Russo-Turkish squadron in the Mediterranean (1798–1800); admiral (1799); and renowned throughout the East as the invincible "Ushak Pasha." By his own account, he never lost a single ship in battle, and none of his subordinates were captured. Ushakov won five major naval battles and suffered no defeats. In 2001, the Russian Orthodox Church canonized him as a righteous warrior. During the Mediterranean campaign of 1798-1800, Vice-Admiral F. F. Ushakov distinguished himself as a major naval commander, a skilled politician, and a statesman during the establishment of the Greek Septisi Republic under the protectorate of Russia and Turkey. Upon the Russian fleet's departure from the Ionian Islands to the Black Sea, the Cephalonians, as a token of their gratitude, presented Ushakov with a large gold medal bearing images of the admiral (inscribed around it: "The valiant and pious Fyodor Ushakov, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Fleet"), the fortress of Corfu, and the islet of Vido, with two French ships moored between them and six Russian ships in front of Vido (inscribed: "To the savior of all the Ionian Islands, Cephalonia"). Among his many awards, he was awarded the Golden Weapon (of the Septisi Republic). I have been trying unsuccessfully to obtain information about this weapon for a long time. Does anyone have any information about this weapon? The portrait presented was painted after the admiral's death, depicting a very interesting sword. What is this? Is it the same award sword, or is it a figment of the artist's imagination? For reference: Republic of the Seven United Islands, was an oligarchic republic that existed from 1800 to 1807 under nominal Russian and Ottoman sovereignty in the Ionian Islands (Corfu, Paxoi, Lefkada, Cephalonia, Ithaca, Zakynthos or Zante, and Kythira). Attached Images

1st October 2025, 06:21 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,616	Yuri! THIS is REALLY esoteric! I honestly had never heard of these situations amidst the incredible complexity of those regions, but with your location and history in the Black Sea areas it is understandable you would be interested. While I do not have adequate resources in these topics, in my thinking this sword seems too detailed to have been from the artists imagination. Typically I presume the studded leather grip would have been foregone for a more elaborate entirely gold metal styling as smallswords of the time would have. If I understand correctly from references years ago, the Russian military and Navy were quite fond of elaborate awards with and on edged weapons. While the title 'Golden Weapon of the Septisi Republic' suggested some sort of regalia award that was a standard in place, it is obscure and would be hard to find in general resources with the limited and esoteric area. Still, maybe by comparing extant patterns of Russian swords of the time we might find something of influence.

Yesterday, 01:04 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,616	Well that makes sense Yuri.......while the Russian rule was nominal, and though Ushakov was Russian, this sword was of course Septisi. Actually thats a relief, as references on Russian swords are pretty much like 'hens teeth' around here, so I wont need to try to find these. So this unique sword has to be either Cephalonian or Septisi, and I am not sure where to find references on this, but certainly anxious to see what might be found on this.