Hanwei 1881 Russian Shashka Saber – Discontinued
Out of stock
Price range: $352.49 through $469.99
- Shipping estimated at checkout
- Every blade inspected before shipping
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Overall Length
- 36 7/8''
- Weight
- 1 lb 14.1 oz
- Brand
- Hanwei
- Culture
- Russian
- Era
- 19th Century
Overview
Hanwei 1881 Russian Shashka Saber - Discontinued
The Hanwei 1881 Russian Shashka(or Shasqua) sword has a sharpened blade of tempered 5160 high carbon steel. The blade features the Russian Imperial Double-Headed Eagle on one side and its reverse has the monogram emblem of Tsar Nicholas II.
The hilt bolster and pommel are of brass and the grip is imitation horn. A leather tab is fitted at the base of the blade to protect the bolster from becoming scratched and scuffed from contact with the scabbard. A leather sword knot is knotted to the pommel to ensure that the sword remains around the wrist of the wielder should he temporarily lose it.
The scabbard is wood with a flat black lacquered finish. Its fittings and hanging ring are of brass.
The Shashka saber dates back to cavalry sabers used in the Caucasus as far back as the 12th century. It was popularized in Russia by the famous Cossack cavalrymen, who used this apt saber to execute swift slashes and cuts from atop their stampeding horses. An eminently suitable blade for quick cavalryman scouting and raiding across the vast Russian plains and hinterlands.
This specific type of Shashka was used by Cossacks and light cavalrymen in the service of the Russian Tsar - both it and its close descendants would feature prominently in the Crimean War, WWI and WWII. The Shaska is typically worn edge-side up, like a katana.
Specifications
Every measurement that matters
- Brand
- Hanwei
- Culture
- Russian
- Era
- 19th Century
- Pommel
- Nut
- Overall Length
- 36 7/8''
- Blade Length
- 31 1/8''
- Weight
- 1 lb 14.1 oz
- Edge
- Sharp
- P.O.B.
- 6 1/4''
- Thickness
- 6.2 mm - 2.9 mm
- Width
- 32 mm
- Grip Length
- 3 1/2''
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Country of Origin
- China
- Type
- Saber
Reviews
What collectors are saying
Q&A
Questions from the community
No questions yet — be the first to ask.
Video
See it in motion
The Maker
Hanwei
Shop Hanwei Swords, Armor & More
Master sword smith Paul Chen created Hanwei Swords and led the early industry by creating authentic handmade swords of the highest grade steel over the last several decades. A favorite amongst the industry, the original Hanwei factory suffered from a fire and ownership changes. In 2025, the factory closed and original collaborator Frenchie Jin’s forge (Dragon King / Kingston Arms) has taken over, improving and reintroducing past models. The reinvented Hanwei focuses primarily on Japanese and Chinese models, including the Performance Series Katana. Many of the original European models are now adopted as part of the Kingston Arms line.
Often paired together
A very accurate and functional shashka The Hanwei Shashka is dimensionally very similar to the historic Russian version. The weight, distal taper, and temper (has the flex of a cavalry sword to help avoid a ‘set’) are correct and the blade comes factory sharpened with no secondary bevel. A well balanced good cutter when using saber techniques. Most accurate Shashka reproduction on the market.
For the hardcore collector, an absolute must have! Weight, balance and feel are beyond superb, and very faithful to it’s historical counterparts. It’s lightening quick in the hand and the factory edge is just perfect enough for tatami mat level cutting. Steel material is tough, very tough, not to mention the Tzarist motifs of this saber are quite unique compared to other reproductions on the market and are very aesthetically pleasing!
Overall super hard to find a flaw with this saber, Hanwei may just have hit a home run with this one!
Super fast “European” alternative to the katana / Must have!! Fantastic handling saber! My swordsmanship skills are mediocre at best but this grip design and the balance of this particular Saber has allowed me to really get in some fantastic ‘Backyard Cutting” in. It looks great but, handles even better. The weight of this and the Cold Steel are listed as only a few ounces difference but this one “feels” a lot lighter than the Cold Steel. I “Like” my cold steel but the Hanwei is definitely the Sword I would choose as a primary weapon of the “Zombie Apocalypse” or “SHTF Weapon” in General. Just Love this sword . I actually have 2 of these now!
My Best Experience With A Hanwei Weapon So Far This is a well-made weapon, and it’s fit and finish are the best I’ve seen in a Hanwei product. It’s a fine cutter and has the blade presence necessary for an amputating strike, but also feels balanced and deft enough to fence with. This style of sabre has the perfect amount of blade curvature for me. It’s deep enough to aid the slicing motion, but straight enough to still be good in the thrust. I would definitely recommend it for purchase.
Superb Beautiful fit and finish. Perfect balance. Sliced jugs out of the box of. After a few passes on the work sharp, I’ll be able to shave with it. Satisfied with my purchase for sure.