Caucasian Shashka from Dagestan: Question

JackBrown1900! · 17th April 2026, 07:08 PM

Hello fellow collectors,

I had this Shashka for a while now. It's pretty big! Over 40 inches! But it's light. The owner must have been a big guy! Did some research on it and pretty much understand the sun and the moon/stars/sun symbolism and the use of European/German/Hungarian blades in the Caucasus. I do have a more difficult time reading the Persian or Arabic makers marks on the blades! If anyone can assist with translation that be great! I know it is probably the maker's name. But if the blade is European manufacture why did the bladesmith from the Caucasus put his marking/stamp on the blade (or maybe he just did the hilt, which most likely he did do! And that's why the mark). A while back someone suggested the translation is: WORK OF GHASI BABR(?). The blade is somewhat worn and has pitting but apparently, it's very well made because it gives out this loud ringing sound when I flick it:-) No scabbard, unfortunately:-(

Tim Simmons · 18th April 2026, 05:30 PM

Could it be central Asian like Kazakhstan?

Gustav · 18th April 2026, 07:27 PM

JackBrown, you have a remarkable collection. Unfortunately members with interest and knowledge in Caucasian weapons have left this forum. I suggest you to pose your questions in the facebook group "Historical arms of Caucasus", whose administrator is Serge Talantoff. They have members who are able to translate inscriptions and marks.

Jim McDougall · 19th April 2026, 05:05 PM

Indeed Jack you have some nice items, especially the shashka, which is of course a full size fighting example, and of the form perpetuated into 20th century following Daghestani and Chechen style. As these are of course almost typically fashioned after these styles and often using old European blades, it is difficult to accurately assess them, especially from photos.

However, while as noted, most everyone who had serious authority in these have gone to other venues, aside from an occasional note. While I'm no authority (by far!) I still find these fascinating, and as often (as now) my resources on these are not at hand, by using the SEARCH feature old discussions with pertinent information can be found with great discussions now archived here.

While the 'experts' are no longer around, their words and expertise still are, in the archived discussions found using key words on SEARCH. I hope you are still here, but wanted to add this for readers who still might visit this.

As far as I can see, this example shashka likely is from Tiflis (formerly Tblisi) where many of these traditionally fashioned weapons were assembled by the many artisans there.

17th April 2026, 07:08 PM	#1
JackBrown1900! Member Join Date: Apr 2026 Posts: 2	Caucasian Shashka from Dagestan: Question Hello fellow collectors, I had this Shashka for a while now. It's pretty big! Over 40 inches! But it's light. The owner must have been a big guy! Did some research on it and pretty much understand the sun and the moon/stars/sun symbolism and the use of European/German/Hungarian blades in the Caucasus. I do have a more difficult time reading the Persian or Arabic makers marks on the blades! If anyone can assist with translation that be great! I know it is probably the maker's name. But if the blade is European manufacture why did the bladesmith from the Caucasus put his marking/stamp on the blade (or maybe he just did the hilt, which most likely he did do! And that's why the mark). A while back someone suggested the translation is: WORK OF GHASI BABR(?). The blade is somewhat worn and has pitting but apparently, it's very well made because it gives out this loud ringing sound when I flick it:-) No scabbard, unfortunately:-( Attached Images

18th April 2026, 07:27 PM	#3
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,326	JackBrown, you have a remarkable collection. Unfortunately members with interest and knowledge in Caucasian weapons have left this forum. I suggest you to pose your questions in the facebook group "Historical arms of Caucasus", whose administrator is Serge Talantoff. They have members who are able to translate inscriptions and marks. Last edited by Gustav; 18th April 2026 at 09:24 PM.

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18th April 2026, 05:30 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,980	Could it be central Asian like Kazakhstan?

19th April 2026, 05:05 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,841	Indeed Jack you have some nice items, especially the shashka, which is of course a full size fighting example, and of the form perpetuated into 20th century following Daghestani and Chechen style. As these are of course almost typically fashioned after these styles and often using old European blades, it is difficult to accurately assess them, especially from photos. However, while as noted, most everyone who had serious authority in these have gone to other venues, aside from an occasional note. While I'm no authority (by far!) I still find these fascinating, and as often (as now) my resources on these are not at hand, by using the SEARCH feature old discussions with pertinent information can be found with great discussions now archived here. While the 'experts' are no longer around, their words and expertise still are, in the archived discussions found using key words on SEARCH. I hope you are still here, but wanted to add this for readers who still might visit this. As far as I can see, this example shashka likely is from Tiflis (formerly Tblisi) where many of these traditionally fashioned weapons were assembled by the many artisans there.