Afghan shashkas

[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.

[Mercenary]

Originally Posted by Turkoman.khan

Wow, Mercenary.

Very cool and interesting. Thanks for the info.

Thank you. But I was wrong. Southern Iran, Shiraz, not Eastern Iraq. I'm sorry.
I know a lot, but I remember little of it ))

[Jim McDougall]

VERY well put mercenary!!!! A COUSIN!! exactly, and that is probably one of the most effectively accurate terms describing the development of many weapon forms.

Not to worry on the slip on the mountain robber knives, from reading your posts over these years, you probably have forgotten more than many of us have ever known on these esoteric topics!