Is this a legit shashka?

Jim McDougall · 15th March 2016, 07:08 PM

I must confess I would not think of a 'shashka' as having a stag horn hilt, but remembering that shashka, like many other terms with sword types, is mostly a regional designation but typically referring to the cleft hilt, guardless sabres of the Caucusus.

With stag horn hilts, I am inclined to think of the couteau de chasse/ hirshfanger/ hunting sword phenomenon of 17th-19th c Europe (actually of course carried into more modern arms as well).

These were typically hangers either open or sometimes knuckleguarded hilts with shorter sabre blades. This seems a full size sabre simply with this unique style hilt. The blade appears of German make latter 18th c.

The 'hunting' situation by then had become very much a European 'event' of the gentry and nobility probably best likened to golf in todays corporate and political hierarchy. Fashion was an utmost concern and swords were an accoutrement of style as much as practicality (often more the former).

In European swords of the military auxiliary units, such as pandours of late 18th into early 19th they typically wore rather exotic uniforms as well as using weapons in same manner. The yataghan was a popular form and many were essentially Europeanized and I have a sabre, quite longish but with deep belly recurved blade, and a stag horn grip with slight cleft.

This sabre may fall into these European auxiliary cavalry categories, but I am inclined to think in terms of an actual combat weapon, more in a dress or parade type.

Just thoughts on possibilities, very handsome sabre!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode

15th March 2016, 07:08 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,295	I must confess I would not think of a 'shashka' as having a stag horn hilt, but remembering that shashka, like many other terms with sword types, is mostly a regional designation but typically referring to the cleft hilt, guardless sabres of the Caucusus. With stag horn hilts, I am inclined to think of the couteau de chasse/ hirshfanger/ hunting sword phenomenon of 17th-19th c Europe (actually of course carried into more modern arms as well). These were typically hangers either open or sometimes knuckleguarded hilts with shorter sabre blades. This seems a full size sabre simply with this unique style hilt. The blade appears of German make latter 18th c. The 'hunting' situation by then had become very much a European 'event' of the gentry and nobility probably best likened to golf in todays corporate and political hierarchy. Fashion was an utmost concern and swords were an accoutrement of style as much as practicality (often more the former). In European swords of the military auxiliary units, such as pandours of late 18th into early 19th they typically wore rather exotic uniforms as well as using weapons in same manner. The yataghan was a popular form and many were essentially Europeanized and I have a sabre, quite longish but with deep belly recurved blade, and a stag horn grip with slight cleft. This sabre may fall into these European auxiliary cavalry categories, but I am inclined to think in terms of an actual combat weapon, more in a dress or parade type. Just thoughts on possibilities, very handsome sabre!