Antique WWI Era Russian Soldier Real Photo Postcard c.1914–1920 Papakha Shashka
£25.99
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Original antique real photo postcard (RPPC) showing a Russian soldier in a full-length greatcoat and astrakhan papakha hat, wearing a shashka sword with a knot on a shoulder belt. It is a studio portrait with a painted backdrop of clouds and water, probably taken circa 1914–1920 (WWI / Russian Civil War period).
The reverse has a printed postcard layout and a later handwritten ink inscription in Russian identifying the sitter as Pavel Fyodorovich Bossak, father of Boris Pavlovich, with the year 1866 (likely his birth year).
A genuine piece of Eastern European military and family history, suitable for collectors of WWI photography, Imperial Russian militaria, or genealogy.
Condition: Aged, with wear consistent with its age. There are chipped and torn edges, a creased top corner, small pinholes, foxing and spots on both sides, and surface marks. The image is still clear and well defined. Please see photos for full details.
Dimensions: approx. 9 × 14 cm (standard postcard size)
About this piece
This is a genuine real-photo postcard (RPPC) capturing a Russian soldier in formal military dress during the tumultuous era of the First World War and Russian Civil War. The subject wears the full regalia of the Imperial Russian Army: a heavy wool greatcoat, an astrakhan papakha (the tall, recognisable fur hat of the Caucasian regiments), and is armed with a shashka sword suspended from a shoulder belt with an ornamental knot — all hallmarks of Imperial service.
The studio portrait was shot against a painted backdrop of clouds and water, a convention of the period. The reverse bears a printed postcard format and a later handwritten Russian inscription identifying the sitter as Pavel Fyodorovich Bossak, with 1866 noted — likely his birth year. Condition reflects its age honestly: chipped and creased edges, pinholes, foxing and surface marks throughout, yet the image remains clear and sharp. A primary source document of considerable value to collectors of WWI photography, Imperial Russian military history, and Eastern European genealogy.
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