Afghan shashkas

[Sakalord364]

Originally Posted by ariel

Yes, Shia.
My guess , this pseudo-shashka was not made in Afghanistan by the local Shia, Hazara or Quizilbash. Afghani-made weapons are usually simple and pretty crude.
I would guess it came from Iran, where there are significant diasporas of both tribes.
Shia Muslims were persecuted in Afghanistan and emigrated in droves. Just to mention wholesale slaughter and displacement of Hazaras by Abdurrahman in the early 1890s: it is claimed that fully half of their population were killed by government forces.
In Iran they settled in Khorasan, a famed arms- manufacturing province. That might explain the sophistication of that sword.

Just to add a bit, yes the blade is Persian, however the scabbard fittings and Handle is clearly Afghan. This was a trade blade that a local sword cutler used to create an Afghan style Shashka.

In the late 19th century many of these cutlers were Bukharans who settled in Kabul- their main clientele at this point would have been Afghan Army officers who wanted a fancy private purchase sword as opposed to their bland government issued piece.

[Turkoman.khan]

Originally Posted by Sakalord364

Just to add a bit, yes the blade is Persian, however the scabbard fittings and Handle is clearly Afghan. This was a trade blade that a local sword cutler used to create an Afghan style Shashka.

In the late 19th century many of these cutlers were Bukharans who settled in Kabul- their main clientele at this point would have been Afghan Army officers who wanted a fancy private purchase sword as opposed to their bland government issued piece.

Hello, Sakalord

I don’t think this is the work of Bukhara masters who worked in Kabul. Usually masters from Bukhara used their own techniques for decorating weapons. I recently read the article "Arms decoration features in Khanates of Central Asia":
https://www.academia.edu/105977932/A...Y_20TH_CENTURY

The technique of decorating this shashka is completely different from the techniques used by Bukhara masters.

But I completely agree with your opinion that many Afghan Army officers wanted a fancy private purchase sword.

[Jim McDougall]

This was a great discussion, and fascinating topics. Over 20 years ago, I was able to get this shashka, which in the auction in London was described as from Uzbekistan.
In subsequent research and discussion with Torben Flindt, it was inconclusive whether this was indeed Uzbek, or actually Afghan. It was he who said wisely, 'weapons have NO geographic boundaries'.

This example has the same distinctive long fluted chape on the scabbard seen on many paluoars, so that of course leans to Afghan.

I hope possible the members here might add their insights, and what about this example might lean to either Uzbekistan or Afghanistan. I would presume this is late 19th c?

Any comments on the calyx extending at back of grip ferrule as per Khyber knives etc.?

[Ian]

Hi Jim,


I'm reminded of this thread on classification of shashkas.

[Turkoman.khan]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

This was a great discussion, and fascinating topics. Over 20 years ago, I was able to get this shashka, which in the auction in London was described as from Uzbekistan.
In subsequent research and discussion with Torben Flindt, it was inconclusive whether this was indeed Uzbek, or actually Afghan. It was he who said wisely, 'weapons have NO geographic boundaries'.

This example has the same distinctive long fluted chape on the scabbard seen on many paluoars, so that of course leans to Afghan.

I hope possible the members here might add their insights, and what about this example might lean to either Uzbekistan or Afghanistan. I would presume this is late 19th c?

Any comments on the calyx extending at back of grip ferrule as per Khyber knives etc.?

Hello Jim

Excellent shashka. Congratulations. I think this is a fine example of a shashka from late 19th century Afghanistan.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Turkoman.khan

Hello Jim

Excellent shashka. Congratulations. I think this is a fine example of a shashka from late 19th century Afghanistan.

Turkoman, THANK YOU so much for the kind words! I was so enthralled with this in the London auction I saw it in that I flew to London to attend it (never did that before!) . I think the scabbard was the most intriguing as it looked like many Ive seen on paluoars. I agree, and as it seems the consensus to be, this is Afghan.

Ian, thank you for the link to that very exhilerating thread !!!
That was a boldly placed topic you posted, and wonderful to see those days when discussions prevailed. While flare ups of contention happened, the outstanding and elucidating material shared truly advanced I think the general understanding of these sword groups.

It would seem, as I think as suggested, the term shashka is probably not 'by the numbers', properly applied here despite the obvious similarities, but it is hard to think of it otherwise, as in character it seems to call out, 'shashka'.
When recalling "The Great Game", the profound influences of Russia in Afghanistan in the 19th century cannot be discounted.

[Mercenary]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

"The Great Game"

I think that Central Asian shashkas are just “cousins” of Caucasian (and later Russian) ones, and not a direct borrowing. They often resemble Khyber knives in design.
The common ancestor of all types of shashkas I think were the knives of the mountain robbers of Eastern Iraq of the 15-16 centuries.

[Turkoman.khan]

Originally Posted by Mercenary

I think that Central Asian shashkas are just “cousins” of Caucasian (and later Russian) ones, and not a direct borrowing. They often resemble Khyber knives in design.
The common ancestor of all types of shashkas I think were the knives of the mountain robbers of Eastern Iraq of the 15-16 centuries.

Wow, Mercenary.

Very cool and interesting. Thanks for the info.