Two shashkas for comment

ariel · 4th June 2016, 04:55 PM

Yes, it is a Circassian style. The blade is indeed European, likely Solingen, 17-18 century. These blades were used and reused, and it may have its second or third furnishings. The blade has either been narrowed to start with to fit the handle, or was sharpened many times. Large parts of the engravings are lost.

I cannot see your second one very well, but it seems from your description that the blade may be marked with gurda: originally Genoese mark that became a world- wide mark of trade blades for the "Orient". Would love to see the details of the handle and the blade. Hopefully, I might even get smarter:-)

I like these old and worn-out ones.

4th June 2016, 04:55 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Yes, it is a Circassian style. The blade is indeed European, likely Solingen, 17-18 century. These blades were used and reused, and it may have its second or third furnishings. The blade has either been narrowed to start with to fit the handle, or was sharpened many times. Large parts of the engravings are lost. I cannot see your second one very well, but it seems from your description that the blade may be marked with gurda: originally Genoese mark that became a world- wide mark of trade blades for the "Orient". Would love to see the details of the handle and the blade. Hopefully, I might even get smarter:-) I like these old and worn-out ones.