The weapon of the cavalry is the broadsword, a blade that has lasted centuries. Broadsword: the legendary weapon of the Scottish Highlanders and European cuirassiers Heavy Cavalry Broadsword

A broadsword, a cutting and piercing bladed weapon with a long blade, single- or double-sided sharpening, originated from the medieval sword. The name of the weapon has Turkish roots and is translated as sword or dagger.

The broadsword differs from its ancestor, first of all, in its developed guard with arches and protective cup, which in later types of this weapon most often has a basket shape. The main difference from the sword that appeared later is in the wider and thicker blade and, as a consequence, in more weight weapons. This is a fairly popular form of European swords from the late 15th to early 16th centuries. Here are some popular broadswords from European countries of this period:

• spada schiavona (Spain, translated as “Slavic sword”);
• broadsword (England and Scotland, translated as “basket sword”);
• reiterschwert (Germany from the 16th to the 17th centuries, translated as “horseman’s sword”);
• kurassierdegen (Germany XVIII - XIX centuries, translated as “cuirassier sword”);
• dragonerdegen (Germany XVIII - XIX centuries, translated as “dragoon sword”);
• kavalleriedegen (Germany XVIII - XIX centuries, translated as “cavalry sword”).

All these variants of edged weapons have character traits structure of the blade and handle and are identified as broadswords.

Basic elements of a broadsword

In the structure of a broadsword, just like in the structure of any other sword, two main elements can be distinguished: the handle and the blade. Of these, the most interesting is the structure of the hilt with a complex basket-type guard. Broadswords of this type are characterized by the presence of the following elements:

• Pommel, the final part of the handle;
• Rear crosspiece kylon, a metal element of the handle, usually bent upward;
• Cross located between the blade and the handle;
• Killon crosspiece in front;
• Blade;
• Edge.

The guard rings, which protruded below the crosspiece, are characteristic mainly of early broadswords. They are also found in the structure of Scottish broadswords, as well as Venetian schiavone.

Basket type guard

The first broadswords, the guard of which had a basket shape, date back to the 16th century. The protective arcs and rings that protected the hand from enemy strikes in this type of edged weapon develop into a kind of lattice. The guard moves away from the cup-shaped shape typical of rapiers, becoming more flattened. According to weapon inventories found in ancient Swedish documents, such a weapon is described as having a “basket-shaped hilt in the shape of a horse’s muzzle.”

In general, the first broadswords that appeared in Europe were not very different from other swords of that era. The only exception was the guard, which was a kind of lattice and protected the hand of the warrior holding it. In the 17th century, out of all weapons general group Broadswords with a lattice guard distinguished two regional branches, the Italian schiavona and the Scottish broadsword. Let's take a closer look at these groups.

General group of broadswords

Among the most significant representatives of this group of edged weapons is the Walloon broadsword (its other name is the Walloon sword), as well as English version broadsword - a deceased sword, in the continental part of Europe called "haudegen".

The Walloon broadsword is a possible ancestor of the statutory combat broadswords of cavalry units of troops. It was most widespread in the countries of northern and central Europe. It differs from other representatives of this type of weapon in the structure of the front guard, which is quite wide and usually consists of two parts. Swords of this type, having a shield consisting of one part, are much less common. The shield is connected to the round pommel of the handle using protective arches. Another noticeable distinguishing feature is that the kylon of the rear crosspiece has a rounded thickening at the end and is curved downwards. The killon of the front part goes into the protective arch.

The blades of a deceased sword usually have a one-sided sharpening. The hilt of these broadswords does not have a cross. The guard has a distinct lattice shape and has a protective shield. During the period of its special popularity, during the civil war in England, the guards of these broadswords were decorated with images symbolically alluding to the execution of Charles I, who was beheaded during the revolution. From there, according to one version, they got their name, which is widely used to this day. This version is doubtful, since similar decorations are also found on the baskets of broadswords of the pre-revolutionary period.

Scottish group

Scottish broadswords are pretty heavy weapons with a long and wide double-edged blade. Having originally appeared in Scotland and becoming the hero of numerous battles between clans, as well as skirmishes with English troops invading the country, this sword very quickly became popular. Various versions of the Scottish broadsword existed in Ireland and England. The guards of these broadswords are basket-shaped, completely covering the fighter’s hand, and are usually lined with red cloth on the inside. The guard, compared to other common broadswords, took on a more rounded shape. The top of the handle is flattened.

Venetian group

Italian schiavones were very clearly divided into ceremonial weapons of the nobility and guards and military, functional weapons of ordinary warriors. The first was distinguished by the grace and rich decoration of the guard basket. The second was a product mass production and was often adjusted to the hand and sharpened by the warrior who directly owned it. These weapons were manufactured only in the territory of Venice, and initially the name gli schiavoni referred only to the broadswords of the Venetian guards. Later it was assigned to all weapons with a similar guard structure.

Cavalry statutory weapons

The end of the 17th century was marked by the fact that regulations began to be introduced in the armies of European countries, assigning a certain type of weapon to each branch of the military. For heavy cavalry, the broadsword becomes such a statutory weapon.

For all branches of cavalry troops there were their own types of these swords: dragoon broadswords, cuirassier broadswords, even guards versions of this sword that differed from the general army variants. What they had in common was that they were heavy piercing and chopping blades with one-sided or one-and-a-half sharpening and a pronounced edge.

These weapons were mass-produced in most major weapons centers in Europe. Since the number of weapons produced was enormous, and the parts appearance and functional characteristics are strictly regulated by the branch of troops for which they were intended, many typical examples of authorized weapons have been preserved. Thanks to this, a modern fan of edged weapons can imagine in detail, for example, a 19th century cuirassier broadsword.

In an ongoing competition? Yes? Than good! By the way, let me remind you that the first issue will take place very soon!
In today's article we will talk about piercing-cutting edged weapons, entitled - sword, which left a significant and bright mark on the whole.
I’ll start right away with the fact that in some classifications broadswords are classified as daggers - this is not entirely correct. In fact, a bladed weapon called a broadsword is a bladed bladed weapon of the cutting-and-piercing type, something between a sword and a saber.

How did the broadsword appear and spread?

The appearance of the broadsword dates back to the sixteenth century, when the Hungarian hussars began to use it as a additional weapons to the saber. Here we see similarities in use with, which was also considered an additional melee weapon. The broadsword at that time was attached to the saddle and had a handle similar to a saber - a slightly curved handle. In fact, the broadsword is much older. Since the eleventh century, similar straight, single-edged swords have been found in different parts of Europe. And if we consider the cavalry units of the Khazars, the broadsword was used even earlier. In general, the broadsword used in Western Europe was the result of development and improvement heavy saddle sword . And its first samples had the name - Valonian sword .

The end of the sixteenth and beginning of the seventeenth centuries is the time of the spread of regular heavy cavalry units in Europe - cuirassiers, which got their name because of the metal bibs - cuirass. It was these heavy cavalry units that fell in love with the broadsword more than others. Cuirassiers used sword up to the nineteenth century. And indeed, this edged weapon fully justified itself in the fight against knightly armor and other protective equipment.
By the end of the sixteenth century in Scotland, and then throughout Great Britain, a type of broadsword began to spread, called - Scottish broadsword . This type of broadsword is often called claymore, But it's not right. This is a topic for a separate article, but I’ll just say what distinguished this type of broadsword. This is a wide blade, light weight and a very developed guard. In addition, Scottish broadswords were usually used in conjunction with small round shields.
Got widespread broadsword and in the navy. True, one of its varieties was also used there, with a shell-shaped guard and having the name scallop. The naval broadsword was mainly a boarding weapon with a wide and straight blade, one-sided or one-and-a-half sharpened. The main difference was the use of leather sheaths instead of classic metal or wooden sheaths. And also the length of the weapon is up to eighty centimeters, with a blade width of up to four centimeters. Almost until the eighteenth century, broadsword blades were made double-edged, and only at the beginning of the nineteenth century did the broadsword take on its final form, with a single-edged wide blade and a blunt butt.

The broadsword and its varieties have become widespread not only in Western Europe, but also in the Caucasus, Central Asia, India and Russia. Broadswords differed slightly in each region, but this mainly concerned the material and shape of the blade. The main ones design features remained classic.

Features of the design of the broadsword.

So after all, What is a broadsword? The answer to this question can be found in. True, this definition turns out to be quite broad. Judge for yourself: « — contact blade chopping and piercing weapon with a long straight single-edged blade". That is, the type of hilt is not taken into account at all. Although this is a very conditional definition, but in modern world It is this broad definition of broadsword that is used.
If we clarify a little the definition that we are invited to use State standard, then we get approximately the following:

— This is a piercing-cutting edged weapon, combining the properties of a sword and a saber, having a wide single-edged blade (less often one-and-a-half or double-edged sharpening), as well as a complex hilt.

Blade The broadsword had a length of six hundred to nine hundred millimeters. The width of the blade varied depending on the type of broadsword, but generally was at least four centimeters. The main distinguishing feature of the broadsword- this is a “low” balance. This made it very convenient for delivering a powerful stabbing blow. True, in order to achieve a good chopping blow, the broadsword had an increased weight, which reached one and a half kilograms. What distinguishes a broadsword from a sword is its developed hilt, the guard of which includes both protective bows and a bowl.
And yet, the broadsword was more perfect for piercing rather than chopping. This is confirmed by many studies and opinions in this area.
Unfortunately, by the end of the nineteenth century, the broadsword became practically unnecessary. Development of rifled firearms forced to give up plate armor, and at the same time from many types of piercing edged weapons. The broadsword remained in use for some time as a ceremonial weapon, and checkers began to be used for close combat.

Broadsword in Russia

The broadsword reached Russia along with hired foreign officers, starting around the end of the seventeenth century. The earliest Russian broadsword available today is broadsword of Prince Shuisky M.V., dating from 1647 and located in the Moscow State Historical Museum. Its handle has the appearance characteristic of early Russian broadswords. It is inclined, adapted for cutting from a horse, with a cross lowered to the blades. The blade is double-edged, also characteristic of an early broadsword. The total length is ninety-nine centimeters, and the length and width of the blade are eighty-six and 4.3 centimeters, respectively. This broadsword is trimmed in silver and its scabbard is covered in velvet.

Mass distribution in Russia the broadsword was received during the times Peter the Great. At first they were adopted by dragoon regiments, and then by cuirassiers. Dragoons used broadswords until 1817. At one time they even armed horse artillery. The main distribution of broadswords was, of course, in heavy cavalry.
Only by the middle of the eighteenth century did the Russian broadsword acquire a single-edged blade and butt, and the scabbard began to be made only of metal, instead of wood. Under Catherine the Great, broadswords began to be engraved with a monogram with her initials.

In the eighteenth century, a division of broadswords according to types of troops and status also appeared. So there were, for example, army, guards, soldiers' and officers', dragoon and other broadswords. All of them were distinguished by different types of handles, bowls and guards. They also began to make various heads on the handle, for example, of different shapes or in the form of an animal’s head.
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, all this great variety of colorful broadswords began to be unified and simplified, thereby reducing the number of their varieties in the army. This yielded positive results, but, unfortunately, only one fate awaited the broadsword. So by 1881, broadswords remained only in service with the dragoons, and after that they remained only as ceremonial edged weapons.
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And I fenced well, especially with a Scottish broadsword

Poet Lord Byron

Among the great variety of European bladed weapons, the broadsword occupies a special place. He can be called a real long-liver. Having appeared at the beginning of the 16th century, the broadsword continued to be used until the First World War, while the period of greatest popularity of this weapon is traditionally considered to be the 19th century - the era of dashing hussars and gallant cuirassiers. Broadswords are still used as ceremonial weapons, for example, they are armed with officers of the Scottish regiments of the British army. In the Soviet Union, until 1975, the so-called cadet broadsword existed as an official piece of equipment, which Navy cadets were required to wear outside the walls of their educational institutions.

The most famous type of this weapon is the Highland or Scottish broadsword - also known as the Scottish basket sword - glorified in the works of Byron and Walter Scott.

It is likely that last time in real combat, the Scottish broadsword was used in December 1941. During Operation Archery, British Army Lieutenant Colonel John Churchill (nicknamed “Mad Jack”) went on the attack with this weapon. This officer liked to repeat that “an officer who goes into battle without a sword is armed incorrectly.” Churchill was generally a big fan historical weapons. Judging by the facts of his biography, he always carried his officer’s broadsword with him, and during the fighting in northern France in 1940, he managed to shoot a German sergeant major with a large English bow...

Now we should define the subject of our story. A broadsword is a type of bladed bladed weapon, a cutting-stabbing type, with a straight and long blade, the dimensions of which reached 100 cm. The broadsword could have a double-sided sharpening, but usually it was one-sided or one-and-a-half. The cross-section of the broadsword blade is rhombic or lenticular; as a rule, it has no fullers. Another feature of this weapon is the massive and developed guard, which could include a shield, protective arches, a cup or a basket. The broadsword differed from the sword in its heavier and more massive blade.

The handle of cavalry broadswords often had a bend towards the blade. This made it possible to deliver more powerful chopping (almost saber) blows.

Throughout its history, the broadsword was mainly a weapon of the horseman, although, of course, it could also be used in infantry combat. The widespread use of the broadsword is associated with the emergence of large regular cavalry, as well as the gradual abandonment of massive heavy armor. This weapon also found its use in the navy - back in the 16th century, the so-called boarding broadsword appeared, which was in service almost until the end of the 19th century.

Early history of the broadsword: Mongolia, Caucasus and India

The era of the birth of the broadsword is traditionally considered to be the end of the 16th - beginning of the 17th century. However, weapons resembling it in all respects existed among the nomadic Turkic peoples back in the middle of the 6th century, except that they could not “boast” a complex and elaborate guard.

Specialized swords for slashing with a long straight single-edged blade were generally popular in the East. In mounted combat, they had an advantage over ordinary swords, since they weighed less. And this weapon was cheaper because it was easier to manufacture. Eastern broadswords often had a handle with a characteristic curve. Similar weapons was very popular in the Mongol-Tatar army in the 13th and 14th centuries.

If we talk about later periods, then blades, in all respects reminiscent of broadswords, were most common in the Caucasus and the Middle East. Unlike Western European broadswords, these weapons, as a rule, had weak protection for the fighter’s hand, which most often consisted of an ordinary cross.

Unique Ottoman broadsword with a flaming blade

In northeastern India, a broadsword called Kunda or Khanda was made. It had a straight single-edged blade up to 80 cm long with some expansion towards the end, often without a pronounced tip. Moreover, like the classic European broadsword, the Kunda had a hilt with developed hand protection, which consisted of a bowl and a wide arc. Such blades were often made from damask steel, and for their finishing they were used valuable species wood and precious metals. Therefore, they were not very cheap.

In the late Middle Ages in India, another type of broadsword, the Firangi, became widespread. This Indian broadsword had a one-and-a-half edge and a complex basket hilt.

Broadsword of Western Europe: heir to knightly traditions

The European broadsword - like the sword - is a descendant of the long knight's sword of the Middle Ages, a heavy and versatile weapon, suitable for both mounted and foot combat. The broadsword is the brainchild of the European Modern Age, the era of the beginning of the formation of mass professional armies on the continent. The knights, of course, were very formidable and combat-ready guys, but there were few of them. Therefore, already in the middle of the 16th century, their place began to be taken by reitars - heavily armed mercenary cavalrymen. Elitism has once again given way to mass...

Creation of mass regular armies, as well as the further improvement of firearms leads to some simplification of the warrior’s protective equipment. A similar trend was observed in relation to the weapons of an ordinary warrior.

The original weapons of the Russian cavalry of the War of 1812 - broadsword and sabers

It is believed that the Hungarian hussars were the first to use broadswords in the second half of the 16th century. For them this weapon was an addition to the saber. Very quickly, the broadsword practically replaced the sword in Western Europe.

Here you should pay attention to one important feature. Throughout its history, the broadsword was exclusively a combat weapon, intended for the terrible whirlwind of a real fight, and not for “noble” fencing. In this regard, the broadsword can be called the antipode of the Breter sword or ceremonial saber. For its time, a broadsword on a belt was a kind of sign not of a court whip, but of a seasoned “front-line soldier” who had managed to smell gunpowder. It could be seen among the Scottish Highlanders, the “ironsides” of Lord Protector Cromwell, and subsequently among the cuirassiers of the Napoleonic Wars.

The broadsword was not very suitable for virtuoso fencing, which, as a rule, has no place in a real battle. Therefore, it is absolutely no coincidence that defenses when using this weapon were often taken with the left hand - with the help of a bracer or a small shield (the highlanders used these until the 18th century). In an individual duel against a skilled fencer, a fighter with a broadsword had little chance.

Venetian schiavona in all its glory

Further evolution of the European broadsword

The evolution of the broadsword can be traced by changes in the hilt of this weapon. The broadsword guards of the 16th century already had arcs and rings that securely covered the hand, but despite this, they were still very similar to the hilts of ordinary swords that existed during this period.

Reitar broadsword with Walloon hilt

In the 17th century, the further development of the broadsword went in several directions, forming three groups, one of which can conditionally be called general, and the other two regional:

• Walloon broadsword and haudegen;
• Scottish broadsword;
• Venetian schiavona group.

Haudegen or Mortuary Sword. This strange name associated with the human head, the image of which was often applied to the hilt of this weapon. And since a significant part of these swords date back to the period of the English Civil War, collectors of the 19th century believed that the royalists depicted the executed King Charles I on their weapons. Later research refuted this assumption, but the gloomy name stuck...

Received Walloon broadsword greatest distribution in the countries of central and northern Europe. This weapon has a characteristic shield, consisting of two parts, which is connected to the pommel by arches. The rear killon of the crosspiece is bent to the tip and ends with a spherical pommel. The front killon goes into a protective bow connected to the pommel.

Modern replica of Oliver Cromwell's haudegen

The haudegen hilt did not have a crosspiece at all, but it had a well-defined basket and a protective shield. Most of these broadswords have a single-edged sharpening, although one-and-a-half and double-edged examples are found.

The Venetian schiavona had a very small distribution area; initially only the Doge's Guard was armed with this broadsword. The main features of this weapon were a pommel shaped like a cat's head, as well as a guard with S-shaped arms. The fencer's hand was protected by a basket formed by oblique arches.

Schiavona with scabbard. The “cat’s head” of the pommel and the characteristic shape of the arches are clearly visible.

Scottish broadsword, or what Rob Roy's weapon was

The Scottish broadsword is, without a doubt, the most famous representative of this group of weapons. It began to be used in early XVII centuries and very soon spread throughout England and Ireland. The Scottish broadsword is often called a claymore, which is a mistake, for this is the name of the famous heavy two-handed sword of the Highlanders. True, it should be noted that in the 17th century, claymores that were obsolete at that time were often reforged into broadswords.

Scottish broadsword in sheath

The Scottish broadsword usually had a double-edged blade, the length of the blade was 70-80 cm, and its width was about 4 cm. The basket guard of the hilt has very wide arcs that reliably cover the fighter’s hand. The guard of the Scottish broadsword is lined with thick fabric or leather, which is also a feature of this weapon.

Statutory broadsword of European armies

In the 17th century, the development and improvement of mass professional armies continued on the European continent. One of the components of this process is the unification of weapons, which is generally completed by the beginning of the 18th century. As a result, each branch of the military receives its “own” bladed weapon. So, for example, light cavalry received sabers, and broadswords were adopted for heavy cavalry.

Dragoon broadsword, late 18th century

Regular broadswords were heavy, usually single-edged weapons with a pronounced edge, well adapted for a powerful piercing blow. They were made in huge quantities, so many copies of these weapons have survived to this day. The characteristics of statutory broadswords, as a rule, were strictly regulated.

In the second half of the 19th century, the broadsword in cavalry was gradually replaced by the saber.

Broadsword in the Russian Empire

The oldest surviving copy of this weapon in our country is considered to be a broadsword that belonged to Prince Skopin-Shuisky at the beginning of the 17th century. Today it is kept in the Moscow Historical Museum. This broadsword has a straight double-edged blade 86 cm long and a hilt with a simple crosspiece, the arms of which deviate towards the tip. The handle of the weapon is curved, it forms a kind of support for the hand. The broadsword is richly decorated with gold and silver embossing, precious stones. The scabbard of the weapon is made in a similar style.

At the beginning of the 17th century, Skopin-Shuisky’s broadsword was rather a curious curiosity for Russia - today historians believe that it never saw a real battle. Truly a massive weapon for Russian army broadswords became available only during the reign of Peter I - only formed dragoon regiments received them. And in the 30s of the 18th century, broadswords became the main melee weapon of Russian cuirassiers. By the middle of the same century, Russian broadswords became single-edged. TO end of the XVIII century, the Russian army already had army, dragoon, soldier, guards and officer broadswords in service.

Broadsword, Russia, Zlatoust, mid-19th century

At the beginning of the 19th century, the broadswords of the Russian army were unified and somewhat simplified. They remained in service with cuirassiers until 1881, after which they were used only as ceremonial weapons.

Cadet naval broadsword, model 1940

Throughout its history, the broadsword was not exclusively a land weapon; very quickly its powerful potential was seen in the navy. Already in the 16th century, the so-called boarding broadsword appeared, which was used during battles on ship decks. This weapon had a powerful blade up to 80 cm long, which could not only hit the enemy, but also cut a rope or cut through a wooden door. Distinctive feature The boarding broadsword had a massive shell-shaped guard, which, if necessary, could be used to hit the enemy in the jaw.

Over the centuries, the boarding broadsword was so popular that it is still part of the dress uniform of military sailors in several countries.

In 1856, broadswords replaced cutlasses and became the official weapon of Russian sailors. Two years later, midshipmen were also armed with them. Midshipmen and officers of the Russian fleet wore a broadsword as part of their ceremonial uniform until 1917.

In the Soviet Union they decided to revive a similar tradition, and in 1940 the broadsword was introduced as equipment for cadets naval schools. The naval cadet broadsword was prescribed to be worn in all cases when the cadet was outside educational institution or ship. In 1958, broadswords were reserved only for assistants at the banner, as well as unit duty officers and orderlies. They say this happened because cadet broadswords began to be increasingly used in street fights. In 1975, the broadsword as an element of equipment in the Soviet fleet was completely abolished.

Compared to a sword, a broadsword has a developed guard, usually including a cup and protective bows. The difference between a broadsword and a sword is that it has a heavier blade, which is wider and thicker.

Broadsword in the East and Asia

Weapons descending from less specialized cutting swords and possessing all the features of a broadsword - a long straight single-edged blade and, often, a curved handle - are traditional for Eastern and Central Asia; in particular, in the XIII-XIV centuries it was widespread among the Tatar-Mongols. Single-edged broadswords in equestrian combat had an advantage over double-edged swords due to their lighter weight, and were also simpler and cheaper to produce.

Caucasus

Broadswords were distributed primarily in the Caucasus and Middle Eastern countries. All eastern broadswords usually have a symmetrical hilt with weak hand protection; often it is only a crossguard with an arc. The most famous are the Khevsur broadswords (franguli), with scabbards and handles forged with iron or brass plates, decorated in the traditional Caucasian style. Sometimes the broadswords of Khevsur masters are equipped with ordinary dagger hilts. In Georgia, broadswords with handles resembling checkerboards were used; surviving examples date back to the 18th-19th centuries.

India

middle Asia

In Asia there was a Kazakh broadsword (half saber) called celeb .

Broadsword in Western Europe

Appearance

In the second half of the 16th century, Hungarian hussars began to use weapons with a straight blade attached to the saddle, which served (like the konchar) as an addition to the saber. The handle of this weapon resembled a saber and was slightly curved.

Spreading

The Western European broadsword developed from the heavy cavalry saddle sword. The first examples of the broadsword were called Walloon sword. The broadsword, which spread in the continental countries of Western Europe, was distinguished by an asymmetrical hilt with highly developed hand protection in the form of a cross or a bowl with a whole system of arches.

In the 17th century, there was a gradual unification of broadswords in the cavalry of European armies. Uniform types of weapons were adopted, first for individual regiments, and then for each type of cavalry. First of all, cuirassier and dragoon regiments were armed with broadswords.

The double-edged form of the blade was preserved in almost all armies until the middle of the 18th century, then it began to be replaced by a blade with a single blade and a blunt spine. At the beginning of the 19th century, the blades of broadswords everywhere became single-edged, still remaining quite powerful and wide.

Broadsword in Eastern Europe

Samples of broadswords of the Proto-Bulgarians of the 5th century AD. e. from proto-Bulgarian necropolises in the Black Sea region.

Appearance

The oldest examples of broadswords were found in proto-Bulgarian necropolises from the beginning of the 5th century in the Northern Black Sea region, including the famous golden broadsword of Kubrat, ruler of Great Bulgaria. Broadswords were also used by the early Avars, Khazars and Alans. In Volga Bulgaria they continued the tradition of using broadswords that came from the Black Sea region, along with sabers.

Broadsword in the Russian Empire

Broadswords of the Moscow case. Around the 17th century.

First information

The broadsword appeared in Russia around the end of the 16th century, apparently, along with foreign officers accepted into Russian service.

In Russia, the handles of early broadswords are inclined, most convenient for cutting from a horse, the crosspieces are either straight, or with the ends lowered to the blades.

The earliest surviving Russian broadsword is the broadsword of Prince M.V. Skopin-Shuisky, which was first kept in the Solovetsky Monastery since 1647, and is now in the State Historical Museum in Moscow. Its blade is straight, double-edged, smooth. The handle is inclined, the cross with the ends lowered to the blades has a crosshair. The frame of the handle is silver, gilded, chased, decorated with large turquoise, a dark garnet is inserted into the knob. The scabbard is covered with scarlet velvet, the mouth of the tip and four holders are silver, chased, decorated in the same way as the frame of the handle with turquoise. The scabbard has two silver belt rings located on one side. Oriental style frame. Total length 99 cm, blade length 86 cm, blade width at the heel 4.3 cm.

Mass distribution

As a mass model of weapons manufactured in a factory, the broadsword established itself in Russia under Peter I, during the creation of dragoon regiments in the first quarter of the 18th century. Broadswords were made not only in Russia, but also imported from abroad, mainly from the German city of Solingen. Since the 1730s, broadswords have become the weapon of cuirassier regiments. Heavy cavalry in the 18th century also consisted of horse grenadiers and carabinieri. Dragoons were armed with broadswords until 1817, and for some time horse artillery was armed with them.

A broadsword with a straight double-edged blade, about 1 arshin 3 vershoks (85 cm) long, with a hilt that had a cup or lattice to cover the hand, was the weapon of dragoons, cuirassiers and part of the hussars, also the Life Guards of the cavalry regiment and the Life Campaign. and in 1763 it was also given to the carabinieri regiments.

By the middle of the 18th century, the Russian broadsword gradually became single-edged with a butt. Under Catherine the Great, the broadswords were engraved with the monogram “E II” (Catherine II) under the crown. The scabbards of Russian broadswords of that time were leather or wooden, covered with leather. The metal device was simple (mouth, nuts with rings for a sword belt, tip) or, being slotted, covered almost the entire surface of the sheath. Since 1810, the sheath of the broadsword became only metal, with the exception of the leather sheath of the naval broadsword of the 1856 model.

In the 18th century, the Russian army distinguished between army and guards, soldiers and officers, cuirassiers, dragoons and carabinieri broadswords; What they had in common was a wide, long and heavy blade, but they differed in the shape of the hilt and sheath. The handle was covered with various combinations of curved arches, grilles, guards, and at its base there was a cup, flat or curved, sometimes made of two oval plates. The heads on the handle were round, flattened, or in the form of an eagle or lion's head. The scabbard was covered with leather, mounted in wide metal holders or bound with metal with figured slots and a comb at the end. In the 19th century, hilts were simplified and unified, and metal scabbards also became simpler.

Rise and fall from use

TO early XIX centuries, the Russian army had several types of broadswords in service: guards cuirassier broadswords, army cuirassier broadswords, dragoon broadswords (with the exception of dragoons in the Caucasus, who were armed with sabers). Horse artillery also had special horse artillery broadswords. Broadswords were also weapons of cavalry guards. Gendarmes also wore them (until 1826).

The blades of Russian broadswords from the first decade of the 19th century were only single-edged. In the first third of the 19th century, they were unified Various types broadswords: dragoon model 1806, cuirassier model 1810 and the cuirassier model 1826 that replaced it. Broadswords were in service with cuirassiers until they were reorganized into dragoons in 1881, after which broadswords remained only in some military units as a ceremonial weapon.

Naval (boarding) broadsword

Russian sailor's boarding broadsword, model 1856.

The naval broadsword has been used since the 16th century as boarding weapons. Boarding broadsword - long-bladed slashing weapon with a straight wide blade without fullers, having one-sided or one-and-a-half sharpening. The handle is wooden or metal with a guard such as a bow, cross, or shield. Unlike combat broadswords, which had a metal or wooden sheath, the sheath for a boarding broadsword was usually leather. The length of the blade was up to 80 cm, width - about 4 cm.

In our time

Currently, the broadsword is a ceremonial weapon for assistants to the banner in the Russian Navy.

Notes

1. "Sword". Military encyclopedic dictionary. Moscow, 1984
2. GOST R 51215-98. Cold steel: terms and definitions.
3. “History of Russian material culture”, L. V. Belovinsky. University book, 2003
4. “Sabres, broadswords, checkers and weapons with a curved blade,” comp. Yu. Kolobaev
5. "Sword" (unavailable link), Megaencyclopedia of Cyril and Methodius
6. Gorelik M.V. Armies of the Mongol-Tatars X-XIV centuries. Martial art, equipment, weapons. - M., 2002 (Series “Uniforms of the armies of the world”)
7. A. V. Komar, O. V. Suhobokov “Armament and military affairs Khazar Khaganate» (Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine)
8. "Steel arms. encyclopedic Dictionary", V. N. Popenko. AST, Astrel, 2007 ISBN 978-5-17-027396-6
9. Kulinsky A. N. European edged weapons. - St. Petersburg: Atlant, 2003. - P. 81. - 552 p. - ISBN 5-901555-13-9.
10. , Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron. St. Petersburg, 1890-1907
11. Doriyan Aleksandrov Makar and discover, find from the treasure in Voznesenka they say: “Find broadswords and sabi sa krivani in the Bulgarian necropolises from the 5th-7th centuries in the Northern Black Sea region and in other places, and discover in Voznesenka a sample of exactly this. Tova se potvarzhdava somehow from the format to the wedge to the edge, and from the beginning to the development.”|

Compared to a sword, a broadsword has a developed guard, usually including a cup and protective bows. The difference between a broadsword and a sword is that it has a heavier blade, which is wider and thicker.

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Broadsword in the East and Asia

A weapon descended from less specialized cutting swords and possessing all the features of a broadsword - a long straight single-edged blade and, often, a curved hilt - is traditional in East and Central Asia; in particular, in the XIII-XIV centuries it was widespread among the Tatar-Mongols. Single-edged broadswords in equestrian combat had an advantage over double-edged swords due to their lighter weight, and were also simpler and cheaper to produce.

Caucasus

Broadswords were distributed primarily in the Caucasus and Middle Eastern countries. All eastern broadswords usually have a symmetrical hilt with weak hand protection; often it is only a crossguard with an arc. The most famous are the Khevsur broadswords (franguli), with scabbards and handles forged with iron or brass plates, decorated in the traditional Caucasian style. Sometimes the broadswords of Khevsur masters are equipped with ordinary dagger hilts. In Georgia, broadswords with handles resembling checkerboards were used; surviving examples date back to the 18th-19th centuries.

India

middle Asia

In Asia there was a Kazakh broadsword (half saber) called Celebe .

Broadsword in Western Europe

Appearance

In the second half of the 16th century, Hungarian hussars began to use weapons with a straight blade attached to the saddle, which served (like the konchar) as an addition to the saber. The handle of this weapon resembled a saber and was slightly curved.

Spreading

The Western European broadsword developed from the heavy cavalry saddle sword. The first examples of the broadsword were called Walloon sword. The broadsword, which spread in the continental countries of Western Europe, was distinguished by an asymmetrical hilt with highly developed hand protection in the form of a cross or a bowl with a whole system of arches.

In the 17th century, there was a gradual unification of broadswords in the cavalry of European armies. Uniform types of weapons were adopted, first for individual regiments, and then for each type of cavalry. First of all, cuirassier and dragoon regiments were armed with broadswords.

The double-edged form of the blade was preserved in almost all armies until the middle of the 18th century, then it began to be replaced by a blade with a single blade and a blunt spine. At the beginning of the 19th century, the blades of broadswords everywhere became single-edged, still remaining quite powerful and wide.

Broadsword in Eastern Europe

Appearance

The oldest examples of broadswords were found in proto-Bulgarian necropolises from the beginning of the 5th century in the Northern Black Sea region, including the famous golden broadsword of Kubrat, the ruler of Great Bulgaria. Broadswords were also used by the early Avars, Khazars and Alans. In Volga Bulgaria they continued the tradition of using broadswords that came from the Black Sea region, along with sabers.

Broadsword in the Russian Empire

First information

The broadsword appeared in Russia around the end of the 17th century, apparently, along with foreign officers accepted into Russian service.

In Russia, the handles of early broadswords are inclined, most convenient for cutting from a horse, the crosspieces are either straight, or with the ends lowered to the blades.

The earliest surviving Russian broadsword is the broadsword of Prince M.V. Skopin-Shuisky, since 1647, first kept in the Solovetsky Monastery (Solovki Island), and now located in the State Historical Museum in Moscow. Its blade is straight, double-edged, smooth. The handle is inclined, the cross with the ends lowered to the blades has a crosshair. The frame of the handle is silver, gilded, chased, decorated with large turquoise, a dark garnet is inserted into the knob. The scabbard is covered with scarlet velvet, the mouth of the tip and four holders are silver, chased, decorated in the same way as the frame of the handle with turquoise. The scabbard has two silver belt rings located on one side. Oriental style frame. Total length 99 cm, blade length 86 cm, blade width at the heel 4.3 cm.

Mass distribution

As a mass model of weapons manufactured in a factory, the broadsword established itself in Russia under Peter I, during the creation of dragoon regiments in the first quarter of the 18th century. Broadswords were made not only in Russia, but also imported from abroad, mainly from the German city of Solingen. Since the 1730s, broadswords have become the weapon of cuirassier regiments. Heavy cavalry in the 18th century also consisted of horse grenadiers and carabinieri. Dragoons were armed with broadswords until 1817, and for some time horse artillery were armed with them.

A broadsword with a straight double-edged blade, about 1 arshin 3 vershoks (85 cm) long, with a hilt that had a cup or lattice to cover the hand, was the weapon of dragoons, cuirassiers and part of the hussars, also the Life Guards cavalry regiment and life campaign , and in 1763 it was also given to the carabinieri regiments.

By the middle of the 18th century, the Russian broadsword gradually became single-edged with a butt. Under Catherine the Great, the monogram “E II” (Catherine II) under the crown is engraved on broadswords. The scabbards of Russian broadswords of that time were leather or wooden, covered with leather. The metal device was simple (mouth, nuts with rings for a sword belt, tip) or, being slotted, covered almost the entire surface of the sheath. Since 1810, the sheath of the broadsword became only metal, with the exception of the leather sheath of the naval broadsword of the 1856 model.

In the 18th century, the Russian army distinguished between army and guards, soldiers and officers, cuirassiers, dragoons and carabinieri broadswords; What they had in common was a wide, long and heavy blade, but they differed in the shape of the hilt and sheath. The handle was covered with various combinations of curved arches, grilles, guards, and at its base there was a cup, flat or curved, sometimes made of two oval plates. The heads on the handle were round, flattened, or in the form of an eagle or lion's head. The scabbard was covered with leather, mounted in wide metal holders or bound with metal with figured slots and a comb at the end. In the 19th century, hilts were simplified and unified, and metal scabbards also became simpler.

Rise and fall from use

By the beginning of the 19th century, the Russian army had several types of broadswords in service: guards cuirassier broadswords, army cuirassier broadswords, dragoon broadswords (with the exception of dragoons in the Caucasus, who were armed with sabers). Horse artillery also had special horse artillery broadswords. Broadswords were also weapons of cavalry guards. Gendarmes also wore them (until 1826).

The blades of Russian broadswords from the first decade of the 19th century were only single-edged. In the first third of the 19th century, various types of broadswords were unified: the dragoon model 1806, the cuirassier model 1810, and the cuirassier model 1826 that replaced it. Broadswords were in service with cuirassiers until they were reorganized into dragoons in 1881, after which broadswords remained only in some military units as ceremonial weapons.

Naval (boarding) broadsword

The naval broadsword has been used since the 16th century as a boarding weapon. A boarding broadsword is a long-bladed cutting-and-piercing weapon with a straight, wide blade without a fuller, having a one-sided or one-and-a-half sharpening. The handle is wooden or metal with a guard such as a bow, cross, or shield. Unlike combat broadswords, which had a metal or wooden sheath, the sheath for a boarding broadsword was usually leather. The length of the blade was up to 80 cm, width - about 4 cm.

In our time

Currently, the broadsword is a ceremonial weapon for assistants to the banner in the Russian Navy.

Notes

1. "Sword". Military encyclopedic dictionary. Moscow, 1984
2. GOST R 51215-98. Cold steel: terms and definitions.
3. “History of Russian material culture”, L. V. Belovinsky. University book, 2003
4. “Sabres, broadswords, checkers and weapons with a curved blade,” comp. Yu. Kolobaev
5. "Broadsword", Megaencyclopedia of Cyril and Methodius
6. Gorelik M.V. Armies of the Mongol-Tatars X-XIV centuries. Martial art, equipment, weapons. - M., 2002 (Series “Uniforms of the armies of the world”)
7. A. V. Komar, O. V. Suhobokov “Armament and military affairs of the Khazar Kaganate” (Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine)
8. "Steel arms. Encyclopedic Dictionary”, V. N. Popenko. AST, Astrel, 2007 ISBN 978-5-17-027396-6
9. Kulinsky A. N. European edged weapons. - St. Petersburg: Atlant, 2003. - P. 81. - 552 p. - ISBN 5-901555-13-9.
10. , Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron. St. Petersburg, 1890-1907
11. Doriyan Alexandrov Makar and razprasnati find from the treasure in Voznesenka they say: “Nay-old broadswords and sabi sa open precisely in the Bulgarian necro poly from V-VII centuries to Northern Black Sea and to other places and open vv Voznasenka sample sa namely takiva. Tova se were kakto from the format on the wedge on the edge, and from the beginning to production.”|