[Tim Simmons]

I came across this one 1892 not as high ranking or a less wealthy officers shashka. Longer blade 83cm. Model 1881. Don't shout it out at once.

This version of 1881 blade was used for dragoons, artillery and perhaps service corps. These blades where still produced into the 1930s as mechanisation was developing. I am not showing details to avoid getting in volved in the " Idee toute faite" and dogma {Chinese fake, reprodutions} that surrounds this form of blade especially in the soviet era. One of the most ignorant and dogmatic of perpetuated missconceptions being the idea that the stamping of 18 KP and the small upside down L letter is the sign that the blade is Chinese made as they do not understand Russian. The 18 KP is 18 kilopounds an established metalurgical test for strength/hardsness at the time, not used these days. An 18KP sword blade is quite a stiff blade not a slashing cavalry blade like the 1927 version, forms of which where also made in the Imperial Russia
I was surprised to find that even many Russians follow the dogma especially if you really research the information available through publications in hard copy and on the internet. To me it seems simply more easy for the lazy to follow the dogma who perhaps many have not even had the blades in their own hands. You will find that there is a great many versions of blade especially for officers, marks and stampings with Solingen producing many Imperial officers blades.

Now there are fakes/repro shashka, there is no denying it. To produce an 18KP rated blade is technical and exspensive $200 will not cover it. If an 18KP rated blade has a lot of flex then yes it is a fake/repro. 18KP is concidered too dangerous for practise HEMA type thing, let alone cost.

Conclusion if your 18KP blade has plenty of flex then you know what you have.