Georgian made Russian saber of Polish provenance

Perkun · 19th June 2005, 11:06 PM

I have done some research. The only name (that I found) that fits the time frame and the coat of arms is Konstanty Zakrzewski (1811 - 1884), a writer, cultural activist. Born 11 February 1811 in Gutow (old Pleszew County).
During the November Uprising of 1830 against the Russians he served in Kaliski Regiment and was an adjutant to Gen. J.N. Umiński.
Recieved Virtuti Militari cross for the battle of Olszynka Grochowska.
I guess it is something to go on. I would love to be able to confirm this possible attribution.

Ian · 20th June 2005, 03:31 AM

Perkun:

Interesting sword.

You might also like to post this on SFI's Antique and Military Sword Forum:
http://forums.swordforum.com/forumdi...?s=&forumid=11

I've found the folks over there to be very knowedgeable and helpful about military patterns.

Ian.

ariel · 20th June 2005, 05:49 PM

I am quibbling about the "gurda" mark.
The blade is of Russian manufacture, and even has a name etched on it , something like " Neizvil" , in Cylrillic, but I just cannot see it clearly. Please note that the "gurda" was placed on top of the already existing fullers. It must be a later addition to the blade.

Perkun · 20th June 2005, 06:09 PM

Hi Ariel,
The name seems to be "S. Neishvili" if I read it correctly, a Georgian name and since a gurda mark with strings of dots is typical for Georgian manufactured blades it made me think of Georgian production.
Any record if such a maker?
I have nor encountered a similar example yet but I assume production of private contract blades for well to do Russian officers must have been commonplace and a large part of the economy of the day.

ariel · 20th June 2005, 06:33 PM

I cannot see the "-i" at the end at all. And in general the variant you propose sounds very strange for a Georgian name. Rivkin may know more about it. I'll look in my sources for that or similar name.
Your K. Zakrzewski might have served there before 1830 at which time there were no official Georgian sword shops. Unlikely for him to be an officer (based on the saber) in the Russian Army after participation in the Polish uprising. Another "KZ"?
What about the inscription on the other side?
The monogram ?

Perkun · 20th June 2005, 07:06 PM

Ariel,
The "i" is there, just not very visible on the photos. I can't read the other side :-(
Zakrzewski was not the original owner of this saber. I think it was a captured or purchased by him. He was not a career officer, he was a university student before the uprising.
The initials on the blade belong to the original owner of the blade.

ariel · 20th June 2005, 11:22 PM

Neither Kulinski's nor Astvatsaturyan's book mention Naishvili.

19th June 2005, 11:06 PM	#1
Perkun Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 45	I have done some research. The only name (that I found) that fits the time frame and the coat of arms is Konstanty Zakrzewski (1811 - 1884), a writer, cultural activist. Born 11 February 1811 in Gutow (old Pleszew County). During the November Uprising of 1830 against the Russians he served in Kaliski Regiment and was an adjutant to Gen. J.N. Umiński. Recieved Virtuti Militari cross for the battle of Olszynka Grochowska. I guess it is something to go on. I would love to be able to confirm this possible attribution. Last edited by Perkun; 20th June 2005 at 02:09 AM.

20th June 2005, 03:31 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,396	Perkun: Interesting sword. You might also like to post this on SFI's Antique and Military Sword Forum: http://forums.swordforum.com/forumdi...?s=&forumid=11 I've found the folks over there to be very knowedgeable and helpful about military patterns. Ian.

20th June 2005, 05:49 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I am quibbling about the "gurda" mark. The blade is of Russian manufacture, and even has a name etched on it , something like " Neizvil" , in Cylrillic, but I just cannot see it clearly. Please note that the "gurda" was placed on top of the already existing fullers. It must be a later addition to the blade.

20th June 2005, 06:09 PM	#4
Perkun Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 45	Hi Ariel, The name seems to be "S. Neishvili" if I read it correctly, a Georgian name and since a gurda mark with strings of dots is typical for Georgian manufactured blades it made me think of Georgian production. Any record if such a maker? I have nor encountered a similar example yet but I assume production of private contract blades for well to do Russian officers must have been commonplace and a large part of the economy of the day.

20th June 2005, 06:33 PM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I cannot see the "-i" at the end at all. And in general the variant you propose sounds very strange for a Georgian name. Rivkin may know more about it. I'll look in my sources for that or similar name. Your K. Zakrzewski might have served there before 1830 at which time there were no official Georgian sword shops. Unlikely for him to be an officer (based on the saber) in the Russian Army after participation in the Polish uprising. Another "KZ"? What about the inscription on the other side? The monogram ?

20th June 2005, 07:06 PM	#6
Perkun Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 45	Ariel, The "i" is there, just not very visible on the photos. I can't read the other side :-( Zakrzewski was not the original owner of this saber. I think it was a captured or purchased by him. He was not a career officer, he was a university student before the uprising. The initials on the blade belong to the original owner of the blade.

20th June 2005, 11:22 PM	#7
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Neither Kulinski's nor Astvatsaturyan's book mention Naishvili.