Shashka for comments

[Gavin Nugent]

Some further ideas for thought.

I am with Ariel in that this blade is from the Afghanistan region and Sindh, not Bukhara or elsewhere. The blade is typical of the forms seen in these regions even if the scabbard fitting style is not. The brass inlay in the blade is also typical of the regions. Of note is the long forte before the fullering arrangements...this is typically a Persian influenced thing to my eye, based on the many trade blades from the region.

The grip slab profile is Caucasian but the manner in which the grip slabs are attached is also known in the Afghan regions. There is what appears to be the remains of a calynx at the end of a simple applied top grip strap, something also typically seen in the Afghan regions.

Many Ottoman made Shashka are known and considering the long relationship that Russia and Turkey have had over the centuries, both good and bad, and that many people from both regions are known to have settled East of the Caspian Sea, these ethnic roots could have been the influence behind this examples scabbard fittings, and perhaps a preferred hilt style to the owner.

From memory, the fuller styles are seen on Kukri, Persian Shamshir, Indian Sabres, Chinese sabres.

Gavin