Ornate Caucasian Shashka ? with Motto - Any Info ?

ariel · 20th January 2006, 12:14 AM

We are in complete agreement with Rivkin. Only his scientific explanation is wa-a-a-ay above my head

I have a Georgian shashka with a perfectly intact and very strong blade that is unmarked. Drawing it out of the scabbard or flicking it with a finger produces a perfect ringing sound that lasts for about 2-3 seconds. I'll ask my son to check the note.
Uncanny....

Jeff D · 20th January 2006, 12:24 AM

Hi casperkor,

I too am firmly in the "I like it camp". I also agree with idea of a fusion of a European blade with a local Daghestan hilt. I think Rivikin may be a little early with his dates however. I suspect this hilt is early 20th century.

Here is one of my own with a dated hilt of 1322 AH (1902 AD)
Very nice and thanks for showing it to us!
Jeff

casperkor · 20th January 2006, 01:16 AM

This is great everyone.. thank you..

Jeff, your sword is in beautiful condition!

I am adding some pics. To clarify, there is the rest of the motto underneath the 2 wave things. (timeas). I have added the picture of the other side of the blade as well as one of the view of the top of the blade. There is some interesting decor which might be saying something that I obviously am not understanding.

pic1
pic2
pic3

Thanks again!

Radu Transylvanicus · 20th January 2006, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff D

Hi casperkor,
I think Rivikin may be a little early with his dates however. I suspect this hilt is early 20th century. Here is one of my own with a dated hilt of 1322 AH (1902 AD)
Jeff

I must agree with Rivkin, IMHO, this sword is well earliear than 20th century in both blade and grip.
But your shashka is dated right and it also looks right for its time.
CASPERKOR can we see the damages on the cutting edge, mainly the upper 1/3 of blade?

Jeff D · 20th January 2006, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radu Transylvanicus

I must agree with Rivkin in this, IMHO, this sword is well earliear than 20th century in both blade and grip.
But your shashka is dated right and it also looks right for its time.

Hi Radu,

I have no problems with the dating of the blade to late 18th c. early 19th. The hilt maybe earlier but the work looks a little later to me. I posted my hilt to illustrate that the work did continue into the 20th c.
I have been waiting for the English version of Astvatsaturjan since I have no possibility of reading the Russian text (my father was fluent but never taught me a word), I guess it is time to give up that hope

. I would appreciate it if someone can show similar work with the early dates.

Thanks
Jeff

Rivkin · 20th January 2006, 03:01 AM

Jeff:

Your shashka is Dagestan (may be Lak ??), imho it is very different from what we have over here. Because of this I have a small problem understanding what "similar" - similar in terms of that it is shashka with niello and rumi-derivative ornament ? Or similar to yours, or similar to the one in question ?

Jeff D · 20th January 2006, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivkin

Jeff:

Your shashka is Dagestan (may be Lak ??), imho it is very different from what we have over here. Because of this I have a small problem understanding what "similar" - similar in terms of that it is shashka with niello and rumi-derivative ornament ? Or similar to yours, or similar to the one in question ?

Hi Rivkin,

Sorry about the confusion it is my fault. I misunderstood the Circassian atribution in your earlier post. My confusion comes from the fact that I was sure I have seen similar "open patterns" coming from Dagestan in the late 19th early 20th century. Of course now that I am trying to find them I am unable. I will keep looking to see if they were misidentified, or if I misread it. I would love to see more of this Circassian work if you have pictures.

Thanks and sorry again.
Jeff

Tim Simmons · 20th January 2006, 12:29 PM

Thank you Jeff. I think your post illustrates my feelings well. No doubt the blade is old and does indeed appear like the best late 18th early 19th century steel. Looking at the sword whole as it presents itself today the handle is surely 20th century and there for deserves a little harder scrutiny. I do not mean it is rubbish, if were given to me I would be delighted. I just felt the praise was a little too fulsome.

Tim

20th January 2006, 12:24 AM	#2
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	Hi casperkor, I too am firmly in the "I like it camp". I also agree with idea of a fusion of a European blade with a local Daghestan hilt. I think Rivikin may be a little early with his dates however. I suspect this hilt is early 20th century. Here is one of my own with a dated hilt of 1322 AH (1902 AD) Very nice and thanks for showing it to us! Jeff Attached Images

20th January 2006, 12:14 AM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	We are in complete agreement with Rivkin. Only his scientific explanation is wa-a-a-ay above my head I have a Georgian shashka with a perfectly intact and very strong blade that is unmarked. Drawing it out of the scabbard or flicking it with a finger produces a perfect ringing sound that lasts for about 2-3 seconds. I'll ask my son to check the note. Uncanny....

20th January 2006, 01:16 AM	#3
casperkor Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 5	This is great everyone.. thank you.. Jeff, your sword is in beautiful condition! I am adding some pics. To clarify, there is the rest of the motto underneath the 2 wave things. (timeas). I have added the picture of the other side of the blade as well as one of the view of the top of the blade. There is some interesting decor which might be saying something that I obviously am not understanding. pic1 pic2 pic3 Thanks again!

20th January 2006, 03:01 AM	#6
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	Jeff: Your shashka is Dagestan (may be Lak ??), imho it is very different from what we have over here. Because of this I have a small problem understanding what "similar" - similar in terms of that it is shashka with niello and rumi-derivative ornament ? Or similar to yours, or similar to the one in question ?

20th January 2006, 12:29 PM	#8
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	Thank you Jeff. I think your post illustrates my feelings well. No doubt the blade is old and does indeed appear like the best late 18th early 19th century steel. Looking at the sword whole as it presents itself today the handle is surely 20th century and there for deserves a little harder scrutiny. I do not mean it is rubbish, if were given to me I would be delighted. I just felt the praise was a little too fulsome. Tim