Cold weapon broadsword. Broadsword in Russia and the world

And I fenced not badly, especially with a Scottish broadsword

Poet Lord Byron

Among the great variety of European bladed weapons, the broadsword occupies a special place. It 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 19th century is traditionally considered the period of the greatest popularity of this weapon - the era of dashing hussars and brave 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 item of equipment, which cadets of the Navy were required to wear outside the walls of their educational institutions.

by the most famous view This weapon is the mountain or Scottish broadsword - it is also a Scottish basket sword - glorified in their works by Byron and Walter Scott.

It is likely that the last time a Scottish broadsword was used in a real battle was 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 of 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 from a large English bow ...

Now we should define the subject of our story. A broadsword is a kind of blade cold weapon, a chopping-piercing 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 blade of the broadsword is rhombic or lenticular, as a rule, it has no valleys. Another feature of this weapon is a massive and developed guard, which could include a shield, protective arms, a cup or a basket. The broadsword differed from the sword in a heavier and more massive blade.

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

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

The Early History of the Broadsword: Mongolia, the Caucasus, and India

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

Specialized swords for chopping with a long straight single-edged blade were generally popular in the East. In equestrian combat, they had an advantage over ordinary swords, as they weighed less. Yes, and this weapon cost less, because it was easier to manufacture. Eastern broadswords often had a hilt with a characteristic bend. Such weapons were very popular in the Mongol-Tatar army in the XIII and XIV centuries.

If we talk about later periods, then blades, in all respects resembling broadswords, were most common in the Caucasus and the Middle East. Unlike Western European broadswords, these weapons, as a rule, had a weak protection of 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. He had a straight single-edged blade up to 80 cm long with some expansion towards the end, often without a pronounced point. At the same time, like the classic European broadsword, Kunda had a hilt with a developed hand protection, which consisted of a bowl and a wide arc. Such blades were often made of damask steel, and precious woods and precious metals were used for their decoration. 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 sharpening and a complex basket hilt.

Broadsword of Western Europe: the heir of knightly traditions

The European broadsword - however, like the sword - is a descendant of the long knightly sword of the Middle Ages, a heavy and versatile weapon, suitable for both equestrian 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. 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 reiters - heavily armed cavalry mercenaries. Elitism once again yielded to mass character ...

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

The original weapon of the Russian cavalry of the war of 1812 - broadsword and sabers

It is believed that the first broadswords began to be used by the Hungarian hussars in the second half of the 16th century. They had this weapon in addition to the saber. Very quickly, the broadsword practically replaced the sword in Western Europe.

Here we should pay attention to one important feature. Throughout its history, the broadsword has been an exclusively military weapon, designed 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 the parade saber. For its time, the broadsword on the belt was a kind of sign not of a court dude, but of an experienced "front-line soldier" who managed to sniff gunpowder. It could be seen in the Scottish highlanders, the "iron-sided" Lord Protector Cromwell, and later in the cuirassiers of the Napoleonic wars.

The broadsword was not very suitable for virtuoso swordsmanship, 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 (highlanders used such until the 18th century). In an individual duel against a skilled swordsman, a fighter with a broadsword did not shine much.

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. Broadsword guards of the 16th century already had arches and rings that securely closed the hand, but despite this, they still look very much like the hilts of ordinary swords that existed during this period.

Reiter 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 be conditionally called general, and the other two - regional:

• the Walloon broadsword and the Haudegen;
• Scottish broadsword;
• group of the Venetian schiavona.

Haudegen or Sword of the Dead. Such a strange name is 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 dates 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 studies refuted this assumption, but the gloomy name took root ...

The Walloon broadsword is most widely used in the countries of central and northern Europe. This weapon has a characteristic shield, consisting of two parts, which is connected to the pommel with shackles. The rear killon of the cross is bent towards the tip and ends with a spherical pommel. The front killon passes into a protective bow connected to the pommel.

Modern replica of Oliver Cromwell's Haudegen

The haudegen's hilt did not have a cross at all, but it had a well-defined basket and a protective shield. Most of these broadswords have a single-edged sharpening, although there are one-and-a-half and two-edged samples.

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 arcs.

Schiavona with scabbard. The "cat's head" of the pommel and the characteristic shape of the arcs are clearly visible.

Scottish broadsword, or what was the weapon of Rob Roy

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

Scottish broadsword in scabbard

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 guard of the Scottish broadsword is lined with thick fabric or leather, which is also a feature of this weapon.

Statutory broadsword of the 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

Statutory broadswords were heavy, as a rule, single-edged weapons with a pronounced point, well adapted for a powerful thrusting blow. They were made in huge quantities, so a lot of copies of these weapons have survived to this day. The characteristics of authorized broadswords, as a rule, were strictly regulated.

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

Broadsword in the Russian Empire

The oldest surviving example 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 cross, the arms of which deviate towards the tip. The handle of the weapon is curved, it forms a kind of stop for the brush. The broadsword is richly decorated with gold and silver chasing and precious stones. The sheath of the weapon is made in a similar style.

At the beginning of the 17th century, the broadsword of Skopin-Shuisky was rather a curious curiosity for Russia - today historians believe that he never went into a real battle. A truly massive weapon for Russian army broadswords became only during the reign of Peter I - they were received only by the formed dragoon regiments. And in the 30s of the XVIII century, broadswords become the main melee weapons of Russian cuirassiers. By the middle of the same century, Russian broadswords become single-edged. TO late XVIII For centuries, the Russian army has already been armed with army, dragoon, soldier's, guards and officer broadswords.

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 parade weapons.

Cadet naval broadsword model 1940

Throughout its history, the broadsword was not exclusively a land weapon; very quickly, its powerful potential was also seen in the navy. Already in the 16th century, the so-called boarding broadsword appeared, which was used during fights 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. A distinctive feature of the boarding broadsword was a massive guard in the form of a shell, which, if necessary, could move the enemy in the jaw.

For centuries, the boarding broadsword was so popular that it is still part of the parade uniform of naval sailors in several countries.

In 1856, broadswords replaced cleavers and became the official weapon of Russian sailors. Two years later, midshipmen were also armed with them. As an accessory to the ceremonial uniform, midshipmen and officers of the Russian fleet wore a broadsword until 1917.

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

Broadsword, chopping - piercing edged weapons with a long blade of one- or two-sided sharpening, originated from a medieval sword. The name of the weapon has Turkish roots, and is translated as a sword or dagger.

First of all, the broadsword differs from its ancestor in a developed guard with bows and a protective cup, which in later types of these weapons, most often, has a basket shape. The main difference from the sword that appeared later is in a wider and thicker blade and, as a result, in more weight weapons. This is a fairly popular form of European swords of the late XV - early XVI century. Here are some popular broadswords of 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 of the 18th - 19th centuries, translated as "cuirassier sword");
• dragonerdegen (Germany of the 18th - 19th centuries, translated as "dragoon sword");
• kavalleriedegen (Germany of the 18th - 19th centuries, translated as "cavalry sword").

All these types of melee weapons have specific traits blade and hilt structures and are identified as broadswords.

The main elements of the broadsword

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

• Pommel, the final part of the handle;
• Killon of the cross of the back, a metal element of the handle, usually bent up;
• Cross, located between the blade and the handle;
• Killon crosses in the front;
• Blade;
• Point.

Guard rings, which protruded below the cross, are characteristic mainly of early broadswords. They are also found in the construction 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. Protective arcs and rings, which protected the hand from enemy blows, in this type of melee weapons develop into a kind of lattice. The guard moves away from the cup-like shape typical of rapiers, becoming more flattened. According to inventory records of weapons found in ancient Swedish documents, such weapons are described as having a "basket hilt in the form of a horse's muzzle."

In general, the first broadswords that appeared in Europe did not differ much 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, two regional branches, the Italian schiavona and the Scottish broadsword, emerged from among all the weapons of the general group of broadswords with a lattice guard. Let's consider these groups in more detail.

General group of broadswords

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

The Walloon broadsword is a possible ancestor of the authorized combat broadswords of the cavalry units of the 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 shield of the 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 with the help of protective shackles. Another noticeable distinguishing feature is that the killon of the back of the cross has a rounded thickening at the end and is bent down. The killon of the front part goes into a protective bow.

The blades of the dead sword are usually sharpened on one side. The hilt of these broadswords does not have a cross. The guard of a pronounced lattice shape has a protective shield. During the period of their 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 they, according to one version, got their name, which is widely used to this day. This version is doubtful, since similar decorations are also found on broadsword baskets of the pre-revolutionary period.

Scottish group

Scottish broadswords are rather heavy weapons with a long and wide double-edged blade. Initially appearing in Scotland and becoming the hero of numerous battles between clans, as well as skirmishes with the English troops invading the country, this sword quickly became popular. Various variants 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 fabric from the inside. The guard, in comparison with other common broadswords, has taken on a more rounded shape. The pommel is flattened.

Venetian group

The Italian schiavons were very clearly divided into the ceremonial weapons of the nobility and the guards and the combat, functional weapons of ordinary warriors. The first was distinguished by the elegance and rich decoration of the guard basket. The second was a product of mass production and was often adjusted to the hand and re-sharpened by the warrior who directly owned it. This weapon was made only on 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.

Statutory armament of the cavalry

The end of the 17th century was marked by the fact that in the armies of European countries, regulations began to be introduced that assigned 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 the 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 options. They were united by the fact that they were heavy piercing-chopping blades with one-sided or one-and-a-half sharpening and a pronounced edge.

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

Compared to the sword, the broadsword has a developed guard, usually including a cup and protective bows. The difference between a broadsword and a sword is a heavier blade, which has a greater width and thickness.

Broadsword in the East and Asia

Derived from less specialized slashing swords and bearing all the hallmarks of a broadsword—a long, straight, single-edged blade and often a curved hilt—weapons are 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 lower weight, and were also easier and cheaper to manufacture.

Caucasus

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

India

middle Asia

In Asia, there was a Kazakh broadsword (half-saber) called celebrity .

Broadsword in Western Europe

Appearance

In the second half of the 16th century, the Hungarian hussars began to use weapons with a straight blade attached to the saddle, which (like the konchar) served 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 samples of the broadsword were called the Walloon sword. The broadsword, which spread in the continental countries of Western Europe, was distinguished by an asymmetrical hilt with a highly developed hand protection in the form of a cross or a bowl with a whole system of arches.

In the XVII century there was a gradual unification of broadswords in the cavalry of European armies. Uniform 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 one blade and a blunt butt. At the beginning of the 19th century, broadsword blades everywhere become 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 the 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, the ruler of Great Bulgaria. Broadswords were also used by the early Avars, Khazars and Alans. In the Volga Bulgaria, they continued the tradition of using broadswords that came from the Black Sea, 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 late XVI century, apparently, together with foreign officers accepted into the Russian service.

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

The earliest surviving Russian broadswords include the broadsword of Prince M.V. Skopin-Shuisky, first kept in the Solovetsky Monastery since 1647, and now located in the State Historical Museum in Moscow. His 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 clips are chased silver, decorated with turquoise as well as the rim of the handle. The scabbard has two silver belt rings located on one side. Frame in oriental style. 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 way, the broadsword established itself in Russia under Peter I, when creating 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 weapons of cuirassier regiments. Heavy cavalry in the 18th century was also made up of horse grenadiers and carabinieri. Dragoons were armed with broadswords until 1817, for some time horse artillery was armed with them.

A broadsword with a straight double-edged blade, about 1 arshin 3 inches (85 cm) long, with a hilt that had a cup or grate to cover the hand, was the weapon of the dragoons, cuirassier and part of the hussars, also the Life Guards 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 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 (the mouth, nuts with rings for the harness, the tip) or, being slotted, covered almost the entire surface of the scabbard. Since 1810, the broadsword scabbard has become only metal, with the exception of the leather sheaths of the 1856 model naval broadsword.

In the 18th century, army and guards, soldier and officer, cuirassier, dragoon and carabinier broadswords were distinguished in the Russian army; common to them was a wide, long and heavy blade, and they differed in the shape of the hilt and scabbard. The hilt was covered with various combinations of curved arms, lattices, guard guards, at its base there was a cup, flat or curved, sometimes from 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, set into wide metal clips 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 into disuse

By the beginning of the 19th century, the Russian army was armed with several models of broadswords: guards cuirassier broadswords, army cuirassier broadswords, dragoon broadswords (with the exception of dragoons in the Caucasus, which were armed with sabers). Horse artillery also had special horse artillery broadswords. Broadswords were also the weapons of the cavalry guards. The 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 pattern of 1806, the cuirassier pattern of 1810, and the cuirassier pattern of 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 parade weapon.

Marine (boarding) broadsword

Broadsword Russian boarding sailor model 1856

The naval broadsword has been used since the 16th century as a boarding weapon. A boarding broadsword is a long-bladed chopping and stabbing 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 shackle, cross, shield. Unlike combat broadswords, which had metal or wooden scabbards, boarding broadsword scabbards were usually leather. The length of the blade was up to 80 cm, width - about 4 cm.

Nowadays

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

Notes

1. "Sword". Military Encyclopedic Dictionary. Moscow, 1984
2. GOST R 51215-98. Melee weapons: terms and definitions.
3. "History of Russian material culture", L. V. Belovinsky. University book, 2003
4. "Sabers, broadswords, checkers and weapons with a curved blade", comp. Y. Kolobaev
5. "Sword" (unavailable link), Megaencyclopedia of Cyril and Methodius
6. Gorelik M. V. The armies of the Mongol-Tatars of the X-XIV centuries. Military art, equipment, weapons. - M., 2002 (Series "Uniform of armies of the world")
7. A. V. Komar, O. V. Sukhobokov "Armament and military affairs of the 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. - S. 81. - 552 p. - ISBN 5-901555-13-9.
10. , Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron. St. Petersburg, 1890-1907
11. Dorian Alexandrov Makar and explain, find from the treasure of Voznesenka they say: “Nay-old broadswords and sabis open exactly in the Bulgarian necropolises from the 5th-7th centuries in the North Black Sea region and to other places, and open Voznasenka’s samples exactly like that. Tova se potvarzhdava somehow from the format to the wedge on the point, and from the beginning to the development.

The evolution of armor and tactics has meant that the heavy sword of the knightly cavalry has become less effective. Gradually, the sword became shorter and narrower, this was required so that they could not break through the armor, but cut through and stab the joints. In addition, the sword became unnecessarily heavy for cutting through the formation of infantry in close formation, a lighter, but at the same time agile weapon was required.

So the cavalry broadsword appeared on the scene, a further development of the knight's sword. A heavy straight or slightly curved blade, with one-sided or one-and-a-half sharpening, about a meter long, which was convenient to operate in close cavalry formation. Broadsword - a weapon of heavy cavalry, appeared in the late Middle Ages and left the scene only at the beginning of the twentieth century. Moreover, these blades are still the ceremonial and ceremonial weapons of a number of states.

The birth of the broadsword and service on land

In the era late medieval many types of weapons and armor have evolved. Armor became more complex and stronger, bows and crossbows were replaced by muskets and arquebuses. Combat tactics also became more complicated.

The attacks of heavy armored cavalry were opposed by close ranks of infantry armed with pikes and halberds. Appeared in the ranks firearms. Horsemen needed lighter and more controllable weapons than swords and pikes.

The term broadsword is associated with the Turks. No wonder it is believed that his ancestor was the konchar, a long and narrow East European sword that could come from the Caucasus. In translation "PALA" means a dagger.

But to compare it and the scimitar is a weapon Turkish Janissaries, incorrect. The scimitar was created as a kind of knife, a response to the demands of the sultans not to carry weapons in peacetime.

The broadsword is a continuation of the evolution of the sword.

It is necessary to distinguish between the earlier eastern blades, which were narrow swords with a simple crosshair and an inclined, for the convenience of cutting, a handle, and later Western European broadswords with a closed guard-basket.

The appearance of the first samples of broadswords in Western Europe dates back to the 16th century; they appeared in service with the Hungarian hussars. Unlike later hussars, this was a plate cavalry, considered at that time the best in Europe.

Next came mercenaries-reiters from the German principalities, and later dragoons. Their armament consisted of a broadsword and a pair of saddle pistols, from which they fired before attacking in mounted formation.

It should be borne in mind that the broadsword, unlike the sword, made it possible to use not only direct chopping blows, but also more cunning feints and injections, in addition, the broadsword fencing technique takes one hand, the second hand remained free, often there was a daga in it - a dagger for the left hand or a pistol .

In addition to the Caucasus, similar blades also appeared in Britain; among the Scots, traditional claymore swords began to displace a shorter and narrower sword with a crosshair and a basket covering the hand.

The Scottish broadsword is lighter than a sword, it better protected the warrior’s hand due to a more developed guard, made it possible to use a “fisted” round shield, while claymores, for the most part, were two-handed weapons.

Under Peter I, this weapon massively enters Russia as a weapon of dragoons and cuirassiers. As a rule, these are custom-made blades from Solingen (Germany), but a small percentage were also forged by Russian craftsmen.

At the same time, the broadsword entered service with some dragoon regiments. In pre-Petrine times, broadswords were also known in Russia as the weapons of foreign hired officers from the regiments of the new system. However, one of the most famous examples of this type of weapon belonged to Skopin-Shuisky, the famous commander of the Time of Troubles.

In the 19th century, broadswords gradually give way to lighter sabers, but still remain in service with heavy cavalry - cuirassier regiments, horse guards wore them as the main weapon until the start of the First World War. It was after it began that they gave way to lighter cavalry.

Sea broadsword

In addition to arming the cavalry, broadswords also showed themselves perfectly at sea. During the boarding battles that the renaissance was famous for. It was the boarding broadsword that earned universal respect and became part of the parade uniform of sailors in many countries.

Including Russia, the naval broadsword was part of the dress uniform of the imperial fleet Russian Empire, and then transferred to the USSR Navy, the last mention of naval broadswords is dated 1940, then they were the authorized weapons of cadets of naval schools.

Naval broadswords did not bypass Great Britain and Germany either. It was these heavy straight blades that were part of the dress uniform of fleet officers.

These blades take their history from the hot boarding battles of the 16-17th centuries, in those days broadswords combined the functions of an ax and a saber. Convenient for use in narrow and cramped spaces of cabins and decks, you can stab and cut, the weight of the blade enhances the blow, and the blade inflicts terrible wounds.

The modern version of this weapon - the naval broadsword, the officer's one, originates precisely from the blood-drenched decks of ships of the late 17th century.
The boarding broadsword also had its own varieties, so the blade was called a scallop, which had a guard in the form of a shell.

What is the broadsword made of

It is a slashing and piercing weapon with a straight blade. Like other edged weapons, the broadsword consists of a blade and a hilt. The blade has a slight bend or is absolutely straight, tapering towards the tip, it can have 1-3 fullers. Sharpening is most often on one side, but there were also one-and-a-half and less often double-sided sharpening.

The sheath had a different look and device, from leather (with metal rings), to wood and metal.

The handle for holding, as a rule, had a slightly curved shape with a developed pommel, this was done for the convenience of cutting. For decoration, various types of wood or metal were used, often the handle was wrapped around wire made of precious metals - silver or gold. The handle of combat samples was simply covered with leather.

The Scottish broadsword had an interesting finish, its crosspiece and guard were upholstered with red cloth.

The handle of the broadsword consists of the following parts:

• pommel (often called "apple"), the final part of the handle, ending in an almond-shaped or round metal piece;
• killon of the crosspiece of the back, located closest to the fighter, which is a curved metal part, going, as a rule, upwards;
• directly the cross, separating the blade and the handle;
• rings of the guard, or otherwise the cross, protecting the fighter's hand, located below the cross, are not present on all types of this weapon;
• killon crosses in the front.

The metal for the broadsword blade can vary significantly. So, mass army broadswords were made of high-quality, but ordinary steel. Often, after big battles, local peasants collected them and forged them into agricultural tools.

Individual custom-made broadswords were forged from Damascus or damask steel. Accordingly, the prices for different types of broadswords were strikingly different from each other.

Broadsword varieties

Since this blade was distributed throughout the world, many of its modifications are known. The Scottish broadsword, already mentioned above, gained fame.

It has also become widespread. By the way, in Western European literature, many researchers put equality between broadswords and swords.

The thin sword known to most appears later, and in the early samples these types of weapons were very similar, slightly differing in blade width and handle. The guard of a cavalry sword is distinguished by two, less often by one shield on the guard, connected to the pommel.

Walloon blades, common in the German lands, are, in fact, the basis for the authorized cavalry samples of a later time.

The dead sword, otherwise called the haudegen, was most widespread in England during the period civil war XVII century. The model got its romantic name because of the frequent image on the guards of the head, according to a common version, it belonged to Charles I, the king who was executed during the revolution.

However, it is often found on samples created before the execution. Among other features, both single-edged and double-edged sharpening of the blade, as well as the missing cross, despite the fact that the basket is installed on the handle, are noted.

In Venice, the Doge's personal bodyguards, and then the representatives of the nobility, met the schiavona. This variety of the blade in question was distinguished by the special grace of the guard.

However, it is on the example of the schiavone that one can see the difference between cheap, simple and practical swords and the rich inlaid works of the Italian arms masters.

Statutory broadswords, massively forged in large arms factories in Europe, did not indulge the owners with some special beauty of finish or a well-balanced balance.

Mass production in the industrial cities of Solingen and Klingenthal, Liege and Toledo, Birmingham and Sheffield, as well as since 1815 in Zlatoust, broadswords were stamped by the thousands.

The owners often tidied up the samples, remade the handle more conveniently or grinded the blade for better balance, but this was a personal matter for each fighter.

The sea blade, otherwise called the scallop or duzeggi, was excellent for boarding combat. In conditions of close ship crossings, an abundance of wooden partitions and weapons, the heavy boarding broadsword had a huge number of fans.

The product could equally well break down the door and cut through the enemy's boarding lance. Unlike more elegant sabers and swords, such blades could compete on equal terms with boarding axes. The broadsword of the sea, the officer was part of the dress uniform in many fleets.

Use of broadswords

The wide distribution of this type of blades made it possible for broadswords to participate in all battles and battles from the moment of their appearance until the 19th century. This pattern was most widely used in the wars of the 18th century, when cavalry attacks decided the fate of many battles.

During the Napoleonic Wars, the broadsword begins to be displaced different kind sabers, however, heavy cavalry - cuirassiers, horse guards and dragoons continue to successfully use straight blades.

Austerlitz, Borodino, Waterloo and other battles are known for the deadly attacks of heavy cavalry, which crushed regiments thanks to armor and weapons. You should not drop the famous Scottish broadsword, it was with him that the officers of the Heindeler regiments attacked.

The development of firearms models of weapons, a change in tactics and the rejection of the massive use of edged weapons made the broadsword an exclusively ceremonial addition to a warrior.

The exception is "Mad Jack" Churchill, the prime minister's namesake. A British Army officer went on the attack with a broadsword during the Norwegian campaign in 1940.

True, a year later he also managed to shoot a German sergeant major from a bow in France. This episode was the last fact of the use of weapons that had more than 500 years of history.

Broadsword cultural footprint

Like other types of weapons, the hero of the article can be found on the pages of artwork. Probably the most Full description broadsword in fiction is on the pages of the British writer Bernard Cornwell in his series about the adventures of sharpshooter Sharpe.

Main character books, throughout almost the entire series of books, it is the cavalry broadsword, a parting gift from his commander, who wears it.

There are many places in literature where the Scottish broadsword is also found, as a symbol of faith and devotion to the Motherland.

In many artistic and documentary works, both of the past centuries and of the present, one can find a mention of this iconic weapon. It is possible that in the museums of the world there is a Russian broadsword of the cuirassier regiment, forged by an unknown master.

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