Early Circassian work, the hilt and suspension band wrought of silver, finely engraved and nielloed in characteristic motifs on a zigzag-matted ground and gilded. The guard with the names of the owner and maker inscribed and nielloed at either side in muthanna (mirrored script technique) reading, MOHAB ALHAJ and HASSAN BEK(?) [12]21 (1805/6 c.e.) The wooden scabbard covered in black leather with “shalvar” mounts, of separately-applied red morocco leather bordered in gilded silver galloon or braid; a rare and very seldom encountered treatment, the central and lower mounts connected by a small nielloed silver button and gilt braid. The lightly curved and fullered blade handwrought, very well balanced, and struck with three man-in-the-moon makers stamps to either side. Dated 1805/06. Rubbing to hilt, suspension band with open seam to reverse, scabbard wood with cracks and losses, leather with open seams, leather and galloon worn. A very similar example belonging to the Caucasian Collection of the State Historical Museum, Moscow, appears in E.G. Astvatsaturian, Weapons of the Caucasian Peoples, St. Petersburg, Atlant Publishers, 2016, p. 89, fig. 3 and passim in paintings by Prince G.G. Gagarin. Overall length 88.5cm/ 34.85”. Condition III