BSMstar,
Please try to understand...I am NOT placing this sword in the Russian empire, or anywhere other than the Maghreb!
What I have said is that the markings and motif appear to be 'native' attempts at duplicating the motif from blades I have seen from the Caucusus. I was noting that this suggested that the armourer IN THE MAGHREB who was working on this blade appeared to have knowledge of these Caucasian blades.
This was what was meant by 'wild goose chase'
as you were pursuing this sword coming FROM the Caucusus, which it clearly is not.
I hope this will place this line of discussion back on the right track.
The discussion of Russian letters pertaining to this sword is desperately moot.
All the best,
Jim