Help for Translation

[ericlaude]

Hello,
I bought this shashka in Hungary, the blade includes several engravings, somebody can translate me these writings?
Thanks in advance.

[TVV]

Eric,

The writing is in Bulgarian. Съ Нами Богъ means God With Us, and on the other side the inscription За Заслуга means For Merit. The ЗОФ abbreviation stands for Златоустовскя Оружейная Фабрика or Zlatoust Weapon Factory in Russian.

Unfortunately, my first impression from the pictures is that the item is not genuine, but a modern replica, intended for reenactors.

Regards,
Teodor

[ericlaude]

Thank you Teodor,
I don't know if it a modern reproduction, I brought it to a women who said , it was her gran father sword.

[Gavin Nugent]

Eric,

Your images are far better than the Ebay images.

My initial thoughts from the original Ebay images was repro.
I do still feel this way about the thin fittings and seeing the silver solder joins on the ring and throat.
The blade inscriptions also seems very crude compared to what was produced by the Zlatoust artisans.

Sorry I can't offer anythin other than these observations.

PS, looking at the sticker residue on the throat I don't think this was a long standing family heirloom.

Gav

[TVV]

Thank you Teodor,
I don't know if it a modern reproduction, I brought it to a women who said , it was her gran father sword.

Eric, sorry to be the bringer of bad news, but all of Gav's observations on the fittings, the etching, etc are correct. On top of that, the form of the hilt is incorrect and finally, this particular pattern was never adopted by the Bulgarian army.

We have all made the same essential mistake - buying the story instead of the item.

Regards,
Teodor