Origins of shashka

ariel · 13th May 2020, 04:31 AM

The earliest Yataghans we know were all “ royal” and did not have bifurcated pommels. After that they filtered down to the janissaries and from them across the entire empire.

I suspect that the 17 century eared pommels of Ottoman Yataghans were indeed modeled on bifurcated animal bones.
I also guess that Georgian shashkas of 17-18 century have derived from Turkish Yataghans.

Both statements are just my personal hypotheses not supported by any documentary evidence.
If anybody knows of any actual documents for or against those hypotheses, please let us know.

13th May 2020, 04:31 AM	#16
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	The earliest Yataghans we know were all “ royal” and did not have bifurcated pommels. After that they filtered down to the janissaries and from them across the entire empire. I suspect that the 17 century eared pommels of Ottoman Yataghans were indeed modeled on bifurcated animal bones. I also guess that Georgian shashkas of 17-18 century have derived from Turkish Yataghans. Both statements are just my personal hypotheses not supported by any documentary evidence. If anybody knows of any actual documents for or against those hypotheses, please let us know.