New Shashka: need advice

[Tim Simmons]

Looks like a nice complete weapon. I really do not know but it looks as if it is from the later part of the 19th century to me. A complete and basic serviceable example the sort one can afford. Just what I like.

[ham]

This is an excellent example of a Chechen shashka of the third quarter of the 19th century, and an untouched one at that. Congratulations, Ariel.
As Rivkin observes, the combination of red and black were popular there, not only as regards scabbard covering but garments and other male accoutrements as well. Astvatsaturian includes Chechnia in the Circassian culturalsphere-- and here is proof. The engraved motifs and background matting, in addition to the bicolored leather, point to Circassian influence.
Ariel, if you polish those mounts you will find they are silver, not brass. Not sterling grade, but silver nonetheless.

Sincerely,

Ham

[Rivkin]

Originally Posted by ham

This is an excellent example of a Chechen shashka of the third quarter of the 19th century, and an untouched one at that. Congratulations, Ariel.
As Rivkin observes, the combination of red and black were popular there, not only as regards scabbard covering but garments and other male accoutrements as well. Astvatsaturian includes Chechnia in the Circassian culturalsphere-- and here is proof. The engraved motifs and background matting, in addition to the bicolored leather, point to Circassian influence.
Ariel, if you polish those mounts you will find they are silver, not brass. Not sterling grade, but silver nonetheless.

Sincerely,

Ham

Can't take the credit for red and black, but I will take the credit for pointing out the possibility of chechen origin.

Returning to the question chechen vs. circassian etc. (all things below are just my personal ignorant opinions):

1. I still think that kindjal in question looks different than chechen ones I've seen.
2. When we are talking about rugs, pottery, legends or weapons of Caucasus there are always 3 theories:
a. The style in question was introduced by an outside invader. For example, "Rumi" floral ornament is quite typical for islamic art in general; I can't say that Spanish Umayad niello looks more different from Circassian work than let's say late XIX cenutry Dagestani work.
In light of this, it will be hard to point Circassians are being the ones who intoduced such motiffs into Caucasus. Most likely some more "islamic" influence is responsible for it.
b. It was invented by a single Caucasian nation. I encountered articles claiming that it was Dagestan were the floral motiff was originally invented (based on examination of ancient burial grounds). I also read articles claiming that narts were the origin of all knightly epis, from japanese to celtic ones (most notably the stories about the graal and king Arthur).
c. The third opinion is that all of the above is true to some extent - more powerful nations (circassians) were influencing art and folklore of their neighbors and at the same time were influenced by outsiders.

Concerning chechens being in circassian sphere of influence, I would find a lot of problems with this claim. First of all, as all nations in Caucasus chechens are not a single nation, but a rather loose union of 40 or so tribes. Some of them, on the northern plains, are of circassian descent, and heavily related to circassian culture. Some of them (Mjalhista, Maista) came to recognize the existance of chechen (nohchi) union only in early XX century and heavily related to northern georgian culture (Khevsurs and Tsova Tushi). Same weapons, same armor, same towers and extremely similar traditions (in a pre-islamic epoch). I don't think one can find them to be more "circassian" than say kacheti or racha. Yes, some of their work is somewhat reminscent to circassian style, but georgians also did some quite similar work.

Second, why circassian and not say osethian or sarmatian ? There are very well documented theories claiming that osethians or sarmatians are the ones who originated most of northern caucasian culture.