Russian Cossack Sabre (Shashka)

[Jean-Luc Picard]

Hi,

I have been acquired a Russian Cossack Sabre (Shashka).
Now I know nothing about these. What is the tell tale signs to know if it is a reproduction?

It is in excellent condition which made me think maybe it could be a reproduction.
I'll add some photos but I have no idea so I wanted to ask here.

Photos:
https://imgur.com/a/6310MFG


Thanks,

 

[BladeScout]

Hi,

I have been acquired a Russian Cossack Sabre (Shashka).
Now I know nothing about these. What is the tell tale signs to know if it is a reproduction?

It is in excellent condition which made me think maybe it could be a reproduction.
I'll add some photos but I have no idea so I wanted to ask here.

Photos:
https://imgur.com/a/6310MFG


Thanks,

Not an expert on these, so don't take my post for the gospel.
There are many repros of these sabres and this looks similar to some of the repros in condition and detail.
I'll go with it being a repro but wait for someone more knowledgeable on these to come along before dismissing it.

 

[zzyzzogeton]

I'm not an expert on these, but it doesn't look like either of the 2 mid 1800s shashkas I have.

I think it is a relatively modern production version - specifically 1934. It has a "hammer/sickle" mark on it - the first "official" use of the symbol on Russian documents was July 1918, and replaced the hammer and plow symbol on Russian hat badges in 1922.

One of the marks on the blade is "1934" followed by the Cyrillic alphabet equivalent of "G", hence my guess of it being made in 1934.

 

[Timo Nieminen]

What is the tell tale signs to know if it is a reproduction?

Most of the common reproductions are overweight, and have blades that are very thick near the tip. Often, the shape of the tip is wrong.

It is in excellent condition which made me think maybe it could be a reproduction.

This looks like the Universal Swords replica. The markings are identical. See http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=USS123 for some photos of the replica.