[Robyllwyd]

Many thanks for the information .
I will try and find an expert on Shaskas.

I suppose that these weapons quite often got separated from their original scabbard and indeed the original owner !
My son in law thinks there was a connection to India, seems a bit odd , but Russia was certainly trying to increase their influence there at the end of the 19th century as I understand it.

I would be glad of any further thoughts, of course.