Fake Shashka

[ariel]

When you look at it for 2 seconds, your reaction is "A-ah! A beauty!!"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=008&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=180132306767&rd=1&rd=1
After 5 seconds you realize that it is far too sumptuous...
And then you read the inscription on the blade: the grammar is post 1918 ( absent letters "yat") and the spelling is wrong .
Say whatever you want about Russian Tsarist officers but they were well educated. Young and restless contemporary Georgian fakers are not.
A scam :eek:

[Bill M]

Tsarist officers but they were well educated. Young and restless contemporary Georgian fakers are not.
A scam :eek:


HEY! Watch out what you say about us Georgians!

[Joe]

But you have to admit, we make a damn fine shashka.

Occasionally.

[Ferguson]

In a similar vein, what's up with the Russian saber/bayonet combinations that are flooding Ebay from China? I'm assuming these are reproductions, but why choose that particular one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/WWII-RUSSIAN-COSSACKS-SABER-SWORD-BAYONET-YATAGHAN_W0QQitemZ200122450766QQihZ010QQcategoryZ1 0954QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Steve

[ALEX]

Agree with Ariel. I've seen similar copies (and a few with Guzunov' name stamp), and it looks like the workmanship is improving (especially on the scabbard's niello/engraving). It's also fairly nicely done copy :eek: and for non-expert it'll be difficult to establish the authenticity even upon physical inspection, not to mention by just looking at the pictures.

[erlikhan]

So,what do you think? is the blade completely new production or just the writing ? As a person having no idea about Russian grammer, I would vote the blade being old, so the writing is, because as far as I see from the pictures, same minor stains and pitting on the blade continues on the inscribed letters too. If the acid work is new, that's odd, i suppose the stains would disappear because of the acid, not?

[G. McCormack]

What else suggests this is a fake? The inlays on the handle look correct to me...were they pulled off of something else? Aside from the etching, nothing jumps out at me as 'new' (though of shaskas I know nothing..) :confused:

[ariel]

I could state another 5-10 reasons easily, but I already gave the fakers at least one hint now to improve their future forgeries :eek: :eek:
If you are interested, send me a PM.

[Chris Evans]

Hi Ariel,

I could state another 5-10 reasons easily, but I already gave the fakers at least one hint now to improve their future forgeries :eek: :eek:
If you are interested, send me a PM.

I am very interested in taking up your kind offer.

Many thanks and

Cheers
Chris

[ariel]

We have discussed here how a St. Anne's Order " For Bravery" increased the value of Russian swords.
Well, for $75 you can double the price of the shashka you are selling
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=005&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=150139467571&rd=1&rd=1

Not a bad investment... :D

[kronckew]

they sell the corresponding sword knots as well, have seen numerous ones on ebay, some vendors are honest & note they are repros made in pakistan.