Dashna - khevsurian short sword

Jim McDougall · 23rd December 2012, 10:56 AM

Vaho, this article is absolutely superb!!! One of the very first articles I have ever seen on the arms of this fascinating people published in the west in English. As has been noted, this is an area of the collecting and study of historical arms which is as remotely known perhaps as the Khevsurs themselves.
The few references which deal with Khevsur weaponry are typically published in Russian, aside from the very obscure reference by Askhabov "Chechen Weapons", and the important book in French by Iaroslav Lebedynsky on the arms of the Cossacks and Caucasians.

The dashna is most intriguing for me personally as it is a form of Khevsur weapon which seems far less known than the more familiar edged weapons of the Khevsurs such as the 'pranguli' and the kindjhal. What is most interesting is that the dashna is apparantly, as noted, fabricated using blades of these other edged weapons, much in the manner of many dirks and daggers in varying cultural circumstances.

Thank you so very much for posting this wonderful article, and my profound congratulations and admiration for having effectively presenting this facet of the arms of these incredibly fascinating people, the Khevsurs, to the arms collecting community here.

I look forward to the article on the Khevsur battle rings as well, a most esoteric and little known topic. It has always fascinated me that these are so much like the finger rings worn by certain tribes in Africa, literally small razor knives worn mounted as rings for combat slashing.

All the very best,
Jim

Kiziria · 24th December 2012, 06:38 AM

Dear Jim if this little dashna article at least half that good and useful for our small circle here as warm and enthusiastic reception of it makes me believe than I am content both as author and translator.

Kiziria · 14th January 2013, 06:53 AM

In effort to bring historical Georgian weapon related papers by Georgian scholars to English reader. Here is a link to the paper on Khevsurian battle rings. Author is my colleague and friend Nikoloz Abazadze. Paper in its English version is slightly shorter than original for now. Here is the link

http://www.academia.edu/2396149/Gadjia_-_weapon_of_man

machinist · 14th January 2013, 11:02 PM

That was a very informative read on a rare subject, Thank you for showing it to us and your friend for writing it. I have a special interest in things like Brass Knuckles and Bagh Nakh so learning about these rings is very nice.

14th January 2013, 06:53 AM	#3
Kiziria Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 26	Battle rings from Khevsurety In effort to bring historical Georgian weapon related papers by Georgian scholars to English reader. Here is a link to the paper on Khevsurian battle rings. Author is my colleague and friend Nikoloz Abazadze. Paper in its English version is slightly shorter than original for now. Here is the link http://www.academia.edu/2396149/Gadjia_-_weapon_of_man

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23rd December 2012, 10:56 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Vaho, this article is absolutely superb!!! One of the very first articles I have ever seen on the arms of this fascinating people published in the west in English. As has been noted, this is an area of the collecting and study of historical arms which is as remotely known perhaps as the Khevsurs themselves. The few references which deal with Khevsur weaponry are typically published in Russian, aside from the very obscure reference by Askhabov "Chechen Weapons", and the important book in French by Iaroslav Lebedynsky on the arms of the Cossacks and Caucasians. The dashna is most intriguing for me personally as it is a form of Khevsur weapon which seems far less known than the more familiar edged weapons of the Khevsurs such as the 'pranguli' and the kindjhal. What is most interesting is that the dashna is apparantly, as noted, fabricated using blades of these other edged weapons, much in the manner of many dirks and daggers in varying cultural circumstances. Thank you so very much for posting this wonderful article, and my profound congratulations and admiration for having effectively presenting this facet of the arms of these incredibly fascinating people, the Khevsurs, to the arms collecting community here. I look forward to the article on the Khevsur battle rings as well, a most esoteric and little known topic. It has always fascinated me that these are so much like the finger rings worn by certain tribes in Africa, literally small razor knives worn mounted as rings for combat slashing. All the very best, Jim

24th December 2012, 06:38 AM	#2
Kiziria Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 26	Dear Jim if this little dashna article at least half that good and useful for our small circle here as warm and enthusiastic reception of it makes me believe than I am content both as author and translator.

14th January 2013, 11:02 PM	#4
machinist Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 93	That was a very informative read on a rare subject, Thank you for showing it to us and your friend for writing it. I have a special interest in things like Brass Knuckles and Bagh Nakh so learning about these rings is very nice.