Shaska/Shashka is it real or fake?

**Eric Zentner** · 08-16-2011, 07:26 AM

I would call before going to Rudys house IMO...

Eric

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 08-16-2011 07:26 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Rudolf Karl** · 08-16-2011, 07:38 AM

HE HE HE !!!

On to another part or question I had. Wheather or not this particular piece is authentic it does share something I've seen on most
all shashka swords and that is the strange shape of the top of the pummel.
Why is there a semicircular notch in it? As soon as I saw it a rifle barrel rest came to mind. Similar to the onse hunters use to this day.
Drop to one knee, insert point into ground and while holding the wood grip, rest the rifle barrel on that butt to steady a shot. Even if
it was never meant for that purpose I'd still take advantage of it.

So is it just a design thing or was there a reason for it?

Rudy

**Wagriff** · 08-16-2011, 09:02 AM

Hello Rudy, Interesting question! The groove in the pommel cap of the shashka was made that shape to resemble the traditional Cossack hat. Some of the more elaborate officer's sabres that you see with the silver and ivory etc. grips have pommels that are Very deeply grooved and have flaring tips like ears on them. On a more practical side, the splitting on the pommel makes for a nice ball shape behind the hand and grooving or splitting it takes away from the excessive weight this made. The shashka/sashka/shashqua etc was an Extremely functional sword and everything about it was all business. But this didn't stop the flamboyant Cossacks from decorating the limits out of it just to show off!
(no self respecting Cossack would Ever have dreamed of ramming his beloved Shashka into the ground and possibly damaging it's blade! Someone's Head.....well,that was a different matter altogether!)
William

**Rudolf Karl** · 08-16-2011, 03:50 PM

Very interesting. And again the WWR people came through.
Eric made another observation that he thought those stampings don't belong
on a sword to begin with. Maybe he'll explain later.

Since I purchased it at a show from a guy that did say he knew nothing about it other than he
thought it was Russian or even a fake at that it's all mine. Not like he tried to hide the possibility.
So while I did loose some on this thing after the show this guy and his brother stoppedd by the
house and I ended up with a $950.00 profit.

I'll hold on to it unless I some day run into a person interested in a fantasy piece.

Thanks for the help and support,
Rudy

**Frogprince** · 08-17-2011, 08:09 PM

As has already been stated a postwar fake. For comparison purposes here is a legitimate Soviet period example. FP

**Rudolf Karl** · 08-18-2011, 04:21 AM

Very nice but wish the pictures were cleaner.
I do believe that I must own an original some day since the one I have may be WWW4 it sure feels good in the hand.

Thanks, Rudy

**Eric Zentner** · 08-18-2011, 05:20 AM

I will take better pics outside tomorrow but how does this look to you all. I'm sure Rudy my friend wont mind if I post pics on his thread I hope?

Eric

**Eric Zentner** · 08-18-2011, 05:27 AM

It's missing the leather ring between the blade and handle I know.

Eric

**Rudolf Karl** · 08-18-2011, 05:28 AM

Not at all. The more I see the more I like.
Guessing this would be a sabre ? Looks much more authentic than the one I posted and like it's seen some combat perhaps.

**Wagriff** · 08-18-2011, 06:35 AM

Hello Rudy, If you're really getting into Russian sabres,check out the Tsars Arsenal site. They have Incredible swords and everything else to go with them! Oh,they're not Cheap(you have to annoying Ask about the price of each one)but they Do know their stuff!) Tsars Arsenal - Russian Imperial awards, swords, icons, sabres, dirks, daggers, uniforms, orders, medals, badges Good luck! William