Caucasian Shashka from Dagestan: Question

[JackBrown1900!]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Could it be central Asian like Kazakhstan?

I don't believe so. I saw several examples of Central Asian/Uzbek/Afghan shashka type swords. They do look quite different (hilts and blades, symbology on the blade is definitely different). I tend to think the place of origin is Dagestan or Georgia. Most probably N. Caucasus

[cyten]

why have all the interest in Caucasian weapons left?

[Gustav]

Each online forum has its own dynamics. But - I am regularly cheking a couple of good online forums like this, on very different subjects, and it seems, generally, the days of such forums are over, for some time already.

I guess, private conversations are the main source for serious information again.

[Gustav]

And arms from Caucasus is a bit special case, because a real development in this field started after the heydays of this forum.

[Interested Party]

I am surprised that this thread did not generate more comments. It certainly deserves to be thoroughly discussed. Gustav, I always thought that this forum had been rich in Caucasian and central Asian experts and had only recently lost the last ones due to irreconcilable differences of opinion.

I saw this and I thought Vladikavkaz as a production center. No real evidence to back this opinion, just felt right.

Another thing that I felt is that with the curve of the blade it could not be carried edge up shashka style. This makes me think that the original owner may have been a Turk or Russian.

The inlay decoration is interesting. Asymmetrical patterns of concentric circles, does anyone know if this pattern be an example of maharani motif? Or is maharani only a term for niello decorations? The shape of the tendrils and the silhouette of the leaves seem atypical in a way I cannot express as to what cultures influence shaped the way it is drawn.

I have a couple pages out of Rivkin that I will try to scan and post later that describe different blade types that this blade could belong to.

It is a very pretty sword.

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by Gustav

Each online forum has its own dynamics. But - I am regularly cheking a couple of good online forums like this, on very different subjects, and it seems, generally, the days of such forums are over, for some time already.

I guess, private conversations are the main source for serious information again.

I hope not! This forum has been my number one source for good information, both in these exchanges and in the archives.

Not all the experts have "left". I do know there are some very knowledgeable "lurkers" who take a look now and then but do not post. They prefer to remain anonymous.

Dave A.