Shashka ...getting in touch with my white Russian Ukraine roots
 

These are swords issued to Cossack regiments in WW2...the Soviet side as many Don Cossacks fought for both the Germans and the Soviets...Nana was a Petrov/Petroff depending upon the immigration documents...she spoke fluent Russian and her Mom never did learn English...they immigrated in 1919 as they...Kuban Cossaks supported the Tsar and saw what was coming....anyway...this also goes with my collection of Mosin Nagants.
The enlisted / NCO sabres had this attachment for a Mosin bayonet that you see on the ferrules....this is a 1942 soviet issue and the sword design dates to 1881.
The scabbard is lacquered canvas that has held up well...probably better than the pre war leather.

The sword is very nice, but I think I like the scabbard even better. Did you purchase them in the U.S. ?

From a collection that was offered thru an antique broker....beware....tons of good Chinese fakes out there so do your homework before looking.

Have always wondered if the Cossacks lineage didn't wander back to Atilla the Hun and some of the other mounted barbarian tribes.

Not really...they evolved from serfs escaping Russia into the wilderness/frontier...much like our Old West. To be free from slavery/serfdom and the medieval system that kept them in place.

The Zaporizhian Cossacks were the 'first' organized element in the 1500's and you could be from anywhere as long as you adopted the rules...and were Christian. They set up a free society where the leader was elected yearly (dif individual so no power issues) and everyone voted on issues to include the women.
Some of the weapons and gear looks eastern due to the contact with Turks etc....they were the buffer between eastern and western civilization. They still perform the mission of border guards today.

With a 91/30 Mosin Nagant bayonet mounted in place.