Can anyone help me with this sword?

delor · 30th December 2011, 05:58 PM

Hello Madsen,
also think it's a causasian shashka.
The blade seems to be very bright and clean. Is it its original aspect or has it been cleaned and - maybe - repolished ?

Jim McDougall · 30th December 2011, 06:28 PM

This appears to be as noted, a reasonably modern interpretation of 'shashka' of the type used in Mingrelian regions of Georgia in the Caucusus. These straight blade 'pallasches' in the 19th century were often with a distinctive skirted scabbard which attached from the scabbard throat.
The hilt reflects the characteristic pommel and ribbed, wired central grip area. It is a beautifully crafted example, quite possibly produced by craftsmen in Tblisi who are still producing amazing swords.

The history behind these Caucasian weapons is fascinating, and tremendously complex as of course is the history of these regions and thier people. While shashkas are of course typically with curved sabre blades, weapons in Georgian regions often were straight bladed, as with examples of the Khevsur duelling swords known as pranguli. These swords' blades typically had the radiused 'hatchet' tip as seen on these pallasches.

ariel · 30th December 2011, 07:34 PM

IMHO, this is a very, very, very new touristy imitation of something pretending to be caucasian. The form of the blade is wrong, the construction and the decoration of the handle are wrong and cheap ( stamped).
There is a whole industry in economically strapped Georgia aimed at producing mass quantities of this stuff for the unsuspecting russian and western markets. Often the prices are outrageous and this serves as yet another honey trap: if THIS one costs 10 times THAT one, it must be old and rare.

Recently, the prices for caucasian weapons went down. It is possible to buy something less shiny, but old and authentic, and for a very reasonable price. Just watch for the fakes ( some are composition pieces, some are decent replicas, some are just equivalents of the chinese "rare and famous sword of military commander in rosewood vagina".

Sorry for the honest opinion.

Jim McDougall · 31st December 2011, 02:41 PM

Hi Madsen,
As Ibrahiim has well noted, the weapons of the Caucusus are fascinating, but frankly esoteric enough that it is often difficult to discern accurately the character of examples being sold.
Despite the unfortunate assessment on this very attractive sword, I wanted to thank you for posting it and was remiss in not properly welcoming you to the forum. While these modern examples are of course by definition replicas, they are still produced primarily in the regions of thier earlier ancestors and carrying the traditions of them. It is intriguing history and as has been noted, many of the authentic earlier examples are still to be found and often at relatively reasonable prices.

I hope you will continue posting with us, and look forward to more on your field of collecting.

All best regards,
Jim

30th December 2011, 05:58 PM	#1
delor Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Marseille - France Posts: 73	Hello Madsen, also think it's a causasian shashka. The blade seems to be very bright and clean. Is it its original aspect or has it been cleaned and - maybe - repolished ?

30th December 2011, 06:28 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,584	This appears to be as noted, a reasonably modern interpretation of 'shashka' of the type used in Mingrelian regions of Georgia in the Caucusus. These straight blade 'pallasches' in the 19th century were often with a distinctive skirted scabbard which attached from the scabbard throat. The hilt reflects the characteristic pommel and ribbed, wired central grip area. It is a beautifully crafted example, quite possibly produced by craftsmen in Tblisi who are still producing amazing swords. The history behind these Caucasian weapons is fascinating, and tremendously complex as of course is the history of these regions and thier people. While shashkas are of course typically with curved sabre blades, weapons in Georgian regions often were straight bladed, as with examples of the Khevsur duelling swords known as pranguli. These swords' blades typically had the radiused 'hatchet' tip as seen on these pallasches.

30th December 2011, 07:34 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	IMHO, this is a very, very, very new touristy imitation of something pretending to be caucasian. The form of the blade is wrong, the construction and the decoration of the handle are wrong and cheap ( stamped). There is a whole industry in economically strapped Georgia aimed at producing mass quantities of this stuff for the unsuspecting russian and western markets. Often the prices are outrageous and this serves as yet another honey trap: if THIS one costs 10 times THAT one, it must be old and rare. Recently, the prices for caucasian weapons went down. It is possible to buy something less shiny, but old and authentic, and for a very reasonable price. Just watch for the fakes ( some are composition pieces, some are decent replicas, some are just equivalents of the chinese "rare and famous sword of military commander in rosewood vagina". Sorry for the honest opinion.

31st December 2011, 02:41 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,584	Hi Madsen, As Ibrahiim has well noted, the weapons of the Caucusus are fascinating, but frankly esoteric enough that it is often difficult to discern accurately the character of examples being sold. Despite the unfortunate assessment on this very attractive sword, I wanted to thank you for posting it and was remiss in not properly welcoming you to the forum. While these modern examples are of course by definition replicas, they are still produced primarily in the regions of thier earlier ancestors and carrying the traditions of them. It is intriguing history and as has been noted, many of the authentic earlier examples are still to be found and often at relatively reasonable prices. I hope you will continue posting with us, and look forward to more on your field of collecting. All best regards, Jim