Recognize Coat of Arms on Kindjal?

[rand]

Originally Posted by ariel

I asked friends at the russian forum.

The crown is that of an un-titled Russian aristocracy ( kind of who had a right to be addressed as "sir", but had no title of a baron, count etc).
The letter is obviously Russian Sh, but no relations to the Sh-ah of Iran: just an initial, first letter of somebody's last name.
The date ( barely seen) isn't it 1331? 1912 Gregorian. Last good days of Russia.... It went downhill from there on....

Hey Ariel,

Very interesting about the crown meaning Russian aristocracy, do you have a reference for that?

The 1331 date, seems like it would read 3113 and hence not be a date. Although 1912 would seem to fit the time period this kindjal could be made.

Was thinking the numbers/letters may indicate a regiment or unit, do you think that is a possibility?

[ariel]

Originally Posted by rand

Hey Ariel,

Very interesting about the crown meaning Russian aristocracy, do you have a reference for that?

The 1331 date, seems like it would read 3113 and hence not be a date. Although 1912 would seem to fit the time period this kindjal could be made.

Was thinking the numbers/letters may indicate a regiment or unit, do you think that is a possibility?

I cannot enlarge the pic, but for the life of me, I see 1331. It can only be a date. This is not a military kindjal: a souvenir to hang on the wall and tell the friends about wild Cherkess and gorgeous georgian houries...
It is too beautiful to risk damaging it on the battlefield...
What is the inscription on the other side of the blade?
And, no, I do not have a reference, but that was a casual and confidential opinion on the Russian forum dealing with Imperial and Caucasian arms. Kind of... " everybody knows" and a shrug...

[rand]

Ariel,

Here is a photo of the other side showing a date of 1894, that would clearly be an indication the numbers/letters on other side are not a date.