Russia, Imperial. A Rare Caucasian Shashka with Silver Fittings

A rare and well-preserved Shashka (sabre, literally “long knife”), measuring 100 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features an 83 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade which retains original sharpening to the tip and lower edge. The blade has two tapering fullers, with the top fuller in turn bearing three additional narrow fullers which commence at the top quarter of the blade. The blade transitions nearly into an ornate silver alloy hilt which bears hand-etched floral and arabesque latticework, highlighted with toning, and culminates in a hooked pommel. Two domed rivets protruding from each side of the handle grip firmly maintain the hilt’s structural integrity. The sabre is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a multi-piece boiled and blackened leather shaft. A plated magnetic metal fixture is secured to the tip, while additional silver alloy fixtures are secured to the throat, and are similarly decorated with toned and hand-etched latticework. Three integral loops emanate from the former for the inclusion of a hanger or sword belt. Some issues consisting with age and wear are evident, and include some tarnishing and surface oxidation to the blade with blunting of the tip, loss of finish to the scabbard’s tip fixture resulting in surface oxidation, and moderate fatigue of the leather shaft. This striking and ornate sabre, demonstrating all of the hallmarks of a Caucasian variant of one of the most famous Russian edged weapons, remains in a near extremely fine condition.