Fake Shashka
 

When you look at it for 2 seconds, your reaction is "A-ah! A beauty!!"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...6767&rd=1&rd=1
After 5 seconds you realize that it is far too sumptuous...
And then you read the inscription on the blade: the grammar is post 1918 ( absent letters "yat") and the spelling is wrong .
Say whatever you want about Russian Tsarist officers but they were well educated. Young and restless contemporary Georgian fakers are not.
A scam :eek:

HEY! Watch out what you say about us Georgians!

But you have to admit, we make a damn fine shashka.

Occasionally.

In a similar vein, what's up with the Russian saber/bayonet combinations that are flooding Ebay from China? I'm assuming these are reproductions, but why choose that particular one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/WWII-RUSSIAN-COS...QQcmdZViewItem

Steve

Agree with Ariel. I've seen similar copies (and a few with Guzunov' name stamp), and it looks like the workmanship is improving (especially on the scabbard's niello/engraving). It's also fairly nicely done copy :eek: and for non-expert it'll be difficult to establish the authenticity even upon physical inspection, not to mention by just looking at the pictures.

So,what do you think? is the blade completely new production or just the writing ? As a person having no idea about Russian grammer, I would vote the blade being old, so the writing is, because as far as I see from the pictures, same minor stains and pitting on the blade continues on the inscribed letters too. If the acid work is new, that's odd, i suppose the stains would disappear because of the acid, not?

What else suggests this is a fake? The inlays on the handle look correct to me...were they pulled off of something else? Aside from the etching, nothing jumps out at me as 'new' (though of shaskas I know nothing..) :confused:

I could state another 5-10 reasons easily, but I already gave the fakers at least one hint now to improve their future forgeries :eek: :eek:
If you are interested, send me a PM.

Hi Ariel,

I am very interested in taking up your kind offer.

Many thanks and

Cheers
Chris

We have discussed here how a St. Anne's Order " For Bravery" increased the value of Russian swords.
Well, for $75 you can double the price of the shashka you are selling
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...7571&rd=1&rd=1

Not a bad investment... :D

they sell the corresponding sword knots as well, have seen numerous ones on ebay, some vendors are honest & note they are repros made in pakistan.