Two shashkas for comment

kamachate · 4th June 2016, 10:09 AM

Hi all. I am a fan of this forum for years, as a member recently, and this is my first thread. I have two shahkas, here I would like to share. By the way, I am no collector or seller, but just a Circassian with two shashkas and two kindjals only

For the first one, what I can say, is a European blade mounted in Circassian(?) style. The blade is probably Solingen, a Hussar(?) blade, somehow appeared in the Caucasus. However, I cannot say more, as you will see, there are series of motives I could not figure out, including the thread http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=early+makers

The hilt is being repaired now, and the scabbard was repaired a few times, but not recently. What I am curious about is the origin and the date of the blade. Is there anyone who can help me with this? I would really appreciate any comments, for I could not find any details by myself.

The second is a modest one, with a double horse-shoe like mark.

Thanks for any of your contributions.
Best.

kamachate · 4th June 2016, 10:30 AM

This is an other figure I forgot to attach in the previous post. May be helpful for dating. Thank you very much.

ariel · 4th June 2016, 04:55 PM

Yes, it is a Circassian style. The blade is indeed European, likely Solingen, 17-18 century. These blades were used and reused, and it may have its second or third furnishings. The blade has either been narrowed to start with to fit the handle, or was sharpened many times. Large parts of the engravings are lost.

I cannot see your second one very well, but it seems from your description that the blade may be marked with gurda: originally Genoese mark that became a world- wide mark of trade blades for the "Orient". Would love to see the details of the handle and the blade. Hopefully, I might even get smarter:-)

I like these old and worn-out ones.

kamachate · 4th June 2016, 07:07 PM

Thank you very much, Ariel. I am going to take better photos, not by a phone

and post again. About the second one, I do not think it is Gurda, at least it does not seem to be any of the versions I have seen on the forums do far. I will post better photos, soon. The date in my mind for the European blade is the ends of the 17th century - not knowledge, just feeling

Thank you again.

ariel · 4th June 2016, 08:18 PM

We are in agreement about the age of the European blade.
Waiting for pics of the second one:-)

Battara · 4th June 2016, 08:50 PM

Welcome to our little forum!

I would respectfully disagree and say that you do have a collection (a small one)!

Would also like to see better pictures as well as pictures of your kindjals.....

BTW - fascinating blades. Traded blades from Western Europe?

4th June 2016, 10:09 AM	#1
kamachate Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 26	Two shashkas for comment Hi all. I am a fan of this forum for years, as a member recently, and this is my first thread. I have two shahkas, here I would like to share. By the way, I am no collector or seller, but just a Circassian with two shashkas and two kindjals only For the first one, what I can say, is a European blade mounted in Circassian(?) style. The blade is probably Solingen, a Hussar(?) blade, somehow appeared in the Caucasus. However, I cannot say more, as you will see, there are series of motives I could not figure out, including the thread http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=early+makers The hilt is being repaired now, and the scabbard was repaired a few times, but not recently. What I am curious about is the origin and the date of the blade. Is there anyone who can help me with this? I would really appreciate any comments, for I could not find any details by myself. The second is a modest one, with a double horse-shoe like mark. Thanks for any of your contributions. Best. Attached Images

4th June 2016, 10:30 AM	#2
kamachate Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 26	This is an other figure I forgot to attach in the previous post. May be helpful for dating. Thank you very much. Attached Images

4th June 2016, 04:55 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Yes, it is a Circassian style. The blade is indeed European, likely Solingen, 17-18 century. These blades were used and reused, and it may have its second or third furnishings. The blade has either been narrowed to start with to fit the handle, or was sharpened many times. Large parts of the engravings are lost. I cannot see your second one very well, but it seems from your description that the blade may be marked with gurda: originally Genoese mark that became a world- wide mark of trade blades for the "Orient". Would love to see the details of the handle and the blade. Hopefully, I might even get smarter:-) I like these old and worn-out ones.

4th June 2016, 07:07 PM	#4
kamachate Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 26	Thank you very much, Ariel. I am going to take better photos, not by a phone and post again. About the second one, I do not think it is Gurda, at least it does not seem to be any of the versions I have seen on the forums do far. I will post better photos, soon. The date in my mind for the European blade is the ends of the 17th century - not knowledge, just feeling Thank you again.

4th June 2016, 08:18 PM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	We are in agreement about the age of the European blade. Waiting for pics of the second one:-)

4th June 2016, 08:50 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Welcome to our little forum! I would respectfully disagree and say that you do have a collection (a small one)! Would also like to see better pictures as well as pictures of your kindjals..... BTW - fascinating blades. Traded blades from Western Europe?