Fake Shashka

ariel · 1st July 2007, 10:59 PM

When you look at it for 2 seconds, your reaction is "A-ah! A beauty!!"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...6767&rd=1&rd=1
After 5 seconds you realize that it is far too sumptuous...
And then you read the inscription on the blade: the grammar is post 1918 ( absent letters "yat") and the spelling is wrong .
Say whatever you want about Russian Tsarist officers but they were well educated. Young and restless contemporary Georgian fakers are not.
A scam

Bill M · 2nd July 2007, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Tsarist officers but they were well educated. Young and restless contemporary Georgian fakers are not.
A scam

HEY! Watch out what you say about us Georgians!

Joe · 2nd July 2007, 07:49 AM

But you have to admit, we make a damn fine shashka.

Occasionally.

Ferguson · 2nd July 2007, 11:31 AM

In a similar vein, what's up with the Russian saber/bayonet combinations that are flooding Ebay from China? I'm assuming these are reproductions, but why choose that particular one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/WWII-RUSSIAN-COS...QQcmdZViewItem

Steve

ALEX · 2nd July 2007, 12:42 PM

Agree with Ariel. I've seen similar copies (and a few with Guzunov' name stamp), and it looks like the workmanship is improving (especially on the scabbard's niello/engraving). It's also fairly nicely done copy

and for non-expert it'll be difficult to establish the authenticity even upon physical inspection, not to mention by just looking at the pictures.

erlikhan · 2nd July 2007, 01:10 PM

So,what do you think? is the blade completely new production or just the writing ? As a person having no idea about Russian grammer, I would vote the blade being old, so the writing is, because as far as I see from the pictures, same minor stains and pitting on the blade continues on the inscribed letters too. If the acid work is new, that's odd, i suppose the stains would disappear because of the acid, not?

G. McCormack · 3rd July 2007, 05:08 AM

What else suggests this is a fake? The inlays on the handle look correct to me...were they pulled off of something else? Aside from the etching, nothing jumps out at me as 'new' (though of shaskas I know nothing..)

ariel · 3rd July 2007, 05:29 AM

I could state another 5-10 reasons easily, but I already gave the fakers at least one hint now to improve their future forgeries

If you are interested, send me a PM.

Chris Evans · 3rd July 2007, 10:52 AM

Hi Ariel,

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

I could state another 5-10 reasons easily, but I already gave the fakers at least one hint now to improve their future forgeries

If you are interested, send me a PM.

I am very interested in taking up your kind offer.

Many thanks and

Cheers
Chris

ariel · 16th July 2007, 02:02 AM

We have discussed here how a St. Anne's Order " For Bravery" increased the value of Russian swords.
Well, for $75 you can double the price of the shashka you are selling
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...7571&rd=1&rd=1

Not a bad investment...

kronckew · 16th July 2007, 12:37 PM

they sell the corresponding sword knots as well, have seen numerous ones on ebay, some vendors are honest & note they are repros made in pakistan.

1st July 2007, 10:59 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Fake Shashka When you look at it for 2 seconds, your reaction is "A-ah! A beauty!!" http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...6767&rd=1&rd=1 After 5 seconds you realize that it is far too sumptuous... And then you read the inscription on the blade: the grammar is post 1918 ( absent letters "yat") and the spelling is wrong . Say whatever you want about Russian Tsarist officers but they were well educated. Young and restless contemporary Georgian fakers are not. A scam

2nd July 2007, 07:49 AM	#3
Joe Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: McDonough, GA Posts: 48	But you have to admit, we make a damn fine shashka. Occasionally.

2nd July 2007, 11:31 AM	#4
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	In a similar vein, what's up with the Russian saber/bayonet combinations that are flooding Ebay from China? I'm assuming these are reproductions, but why choose that particular one? http://cgi.ebay.com/WWII-RUSSIAN-COS...QQcmdZViewItem Steve

2nd July 2007, 12:42 PM	#5
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	Agree with Ariel. I've seen similar copies (and a few with Guzunov' name stamp), and it looks like the workmanship is improving (especially on the scabbard's niello/engraving). It's also fairly nicely done copy and for non-expert it'll be difficult to establish the authenticity even upon physical inspection, not to mention by just looking at the pictures.

2nd July 2007, 01:10 PM	#6
erlikhan Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Istanbul Posts: 452	So,what do you think? is the blade completely new production or just the writing ? As a person having no idea about Russian grammer, I would vote the blade being old, so the writing is, because as far as I see from the pictures, same minor stains and pitting on the blade continues on the inscribed letters too. If the acid work is new, that's odd, i suppose the stains would disappear because of the acid, not?

3rd July 2007, 05:08 AM	#7
G. McCormack Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 131	What else suggests this is a fake? The inlays on the handle look correct to me...were they pulled off of something else? Aside from the etching, nothing jumps out at me as 'new' (though of shaskas I know nothing..)

3rd July 2007, 05:29 AM	#8
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I could state another 5-10 reasons easily, but I already gave the fakers at least one hint now to improve their future forgeries If you are interested, send me a PM.

16th July 2007, 02:02 AM	#10
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	We have discussed here how a St. Anne's Order " For Bravery" increased the value of Russian swords. Well, for $75 you can double the price of the shashka you are selling http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...7571&rd=1&rd=1 Not a bad investment...

16th July 2007, 12:37 PM	#11
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	they sell the corresponding sword knots as well, have seen numerous ones on ebay, some vendors are honest & note they are repros made in pakistan.