A Circassian coat is like a Cossack’s own skin. Gazyr

Gazyri August 13th, 2016

As a child, I had two popular versions of what it is in the photo. You guessed it, the first version is a cigarette/cigar (maybe just because of the theatrical costumes) and the second version is cartridges.

Of course, one of the versions practically coincided with reality.

Let's find out more...

Photo 2.

The famous traveler Dubois de Montpereux describes it this way: appearance Caucasian warrior:

“On both sides of the chest there are two small pockets or, more often, two rows of small boxes or cartridge cases made of wood, reeds, bone or metal. For the richer people, the lids of bandoliers are attached to the shoulders with silver chains. On his shoulder, the Circassian carries a gun, enclosed in a black felt case, attached to the belt with two red leather rings. The Circassian has a dagger on his belt; In addition, he has attached there a cleaver-screwdriver, a leather pouch where tinder and gun flint are stored... a small box beautifully made of blackened silver with lard, which is used to rub the bullets so that they slide better in the barrel. In his hand the Circassian holds a small stand made of two wooden slats; The barrel of the gun is placed on this stand when firing.”

Photo 3.

So, what are gazyrs and how did they appear on Circassian people? Gazyr - from Turkic. “gyazir” - “ready”. It is a hermetically sealed cylindrical pencil case, a container for pre-measured powder charge or paper cartridge. Gazyrs do not have to be carried in the breast pocket.

It is impossible to call gazyrs an invention of warriors from the Caucasus, because similar cartridge belts were used by musketeers in France and archers in Rus'. In the Russian military tradition, such a sling (belt) with pencil cases was called a berendeika.

Photo 4.

Already in the 16th century, muzzle-loading guns appeared in Spain. The design features of the weapon were such that it was necessary to strictly monitor the amount of gunpowder, otherwise the gun could explode when fired. It was necessary to reload the gun, especially in battle, as quickly as possible. The appearance of special powder flasks, into which carefully measured gunpowder was poured. The need to accurately measure gunpowder led to the appearance of containers with pre-packaged charges, which made it possible to pour gunpowder into the barrel almost without looking. The introduction of special measuring cases into ammunition made handling weapons much easier and safer and was used in different countries. In Russia, such devices were called berendeikas.

Photo 5.

The location of these pencil cases on the uniform is related to the specific use of the weapon. In most cases, they hung freely on ropes, allowing for quick handling: picked up, opened the lid, poured out, and let go. In turn, the ropes were attached to a shoulder strap - a sling. But the dangling charges on both sides are quite a hindrance in a dynamic battle.

Photo 6.

In the Caucasus, in order to securely fix pencil cases-measures, special pockets on clothes were invented there. They were located in places free from constant movements hands during horse riding and saber cutting, that is, on the chest. The containers placed in these pockets were called gasyrs. Indeed, even for a modern foot warrior whose belt is occupied by auxiliary pouches, a chest bandoleer is a good solution.

Photo 7.

The custom of wearing a Circassian coat with gozyrs quickly spread to Russian soldiers. In particular, the Cossacks loved and mastered this attire.

Photo 8.

WITH late XIX centuries, the need to constantly carry weapons with oneself gradually began to disappear. And the weapon has a different design. But for for a long time constant presence in Circassia, patronage with the Gazyrs acquired a certain symbolism. A real man always ready to protect an owl's home and family. Therefore, gazyrs have become a decorative element, an integral part of national clothing. Caucasian peoples.

Photo 9.

All gazyrs are based on a tube made of reeds or wood. The tube is closed with a cap made of bone or metal. Later, on ceremonial Circassian coats they began to wear gazyrs with silver, decorated tips, with gold inlay or with niello.

Photo 10.

Nowadays, when gazyri are pure decorative element in Circassian, the tube itself is made of plastic or is it wooden stick. But the tip, as in previous times, is given the main importance. The tips are made of silver, brass, cupronickel. They can be gilded, blackened, or inlaid with bone. Sometimes gazyrs are made from fabric. Most often on children's costumes.

Photo 11.

Photo 12.

Photo 13.

And here's how this is reflected in modern fashion:

Photo 14.

sources

To the question: What is this on the Cossacks’ uniform, on the chest, a cigarette case or bandolier, what is it for? given by the author Caucasian the best answer is gazyri (from the Circassian “khazyr” - “ready”), special pockets for pencil cases, often made of bone, intercepted with braid. The pencil case contained a measure of gunpowder and a bullet wrapped in a rag, cast for a specific gun.
Irina Kustova
Sage
(13040)
clear.. thanks for the clarification

Reply from Aiding[guru]
and then there were show-offs...

Reply from *M a r t* @@@Tonyan@@@[active]
for cartridges and cigarette case

Reply from Find out[guru]
Then, when all this appeared, there were no cigarettes or cartridges. Instead of cartridges there was a powder flask made of horn.
In short, it’s just a show-off piece of crap, maybe someone used it for cartridges or something else, but that was much later than its appearance!

Reply from Svetik[guru]
Gazyr (from the Turkic “ready”: Karachay-Balkar - khazyr, Turkish - hazır, Adyghe (Circassian) pronunciation - khazyr) - among the Caucasian peoples - a charger, a hermetically sealed cylindrical pencil case, a container for a pre-measured powder charge or a paper cartridge. Gazyrs were worn either in a bag-gazyr, or, more often, attached in one row in breast pockets, acting as a bandoleer. Later this became decorative elements that are an integral part of the national clothing of the Caucasian peoples (XIX - early XX centuries). Gazyrs were usually made of bone, and front ones were made of silver.
They were borrowed by the Cossack units of the Russian army, along with the saber, burka, hat and other details of military culture from the peoples of the Caucasus in the process of conquering these territories. It cannot be said that the chargers were a Caucasian invention (both French musketeers and Moscow archers wore them suspended from a sling). Nevertheless, the chest gazyrs were perfectly adapted to combat conditions in the mountains in any weather, preventing the gunpowder from getting wet when the shooter was standing, lying down or on horseback.

Reply from Veteran of the Brownian movement[guru]
Gazyri.
Adopted from the Caucasians along with the Circassian.
In the days of muzzle-loading weapons, to speed up loading, they made cartridges: wooden tubes according to the caliber of the barrel, measured portions of gunpowder into them, hammered wads and a bullet. In battle, they used a ramrod to send it all down the barrel. European musketeers carried these cartridges on straps suspended from a sling over their shoulders - 12 pieces. It is more convenient in pockets and on the chest; in modern uniforms there are pockets here everywhere.
The Kakaz people made gazyrs from metal, ideally from silver. At the same time, they served as decoration and a sign of wealth - that is, military success.

The image of a Caucasian warrior in a Circassian coat is inextricably linked with the gazyrs located in the chest pockets. A simple imitation of gazyrs on a costume in an amateur theater is enough and the viewer understands who the person dressed up is portraying.
As a child, I had two popular versions of what it is in the photo. You guessed it, the first version is a cigarette/cigar (maybe just because of the theatrical costumes) and the second version is cartridges. Of course, one of the versions practically coincided with reality.

Let's find out more...

Photo 2.

The famous traveler Dubois de Montpereux describes the appearance of the Caucasian warrior as follows:

So, what are gazyrs and how did they appear on Circassian people? Gazyr - from Turkic. “gyazir” - “ready”. It is a hermetically sealed cylindrical pencil case, a container for a pre-measured powder charge or a paper cartridge. Gazyrs do not have to be carried in the breast pocket.

The location of these pencil cases on the uniform is related to the specific use of the weapon. In most cases, they hung freely on ropes, allowing for quick handling: picked it up, opened the lid, poured it out, and released it. In turn, the ropes were attached to a shoulder strap - a sling. But the dangling charges on both sides are quite a hindrance in a dynamic battle.

In the Caucasus, in order to securely fix pencil cases-measures, special pockets on clothes were invented there. They were located in places free from constant hand movements during horse riding and saber cutting, that is, on the chest. The containers placed in these pockets were called gasyrs. Indeed, even for a modern foot warrior whose belt is occupied by auxiliary pouches, a chest bandoleer is a good solution.

Photo 7.

The custom of wearing a Circassian coat with gozyrs quickly spread to Russian soldiers. In particular, the Cossacks loved and mastered this attire.

Since the end of the 19th century, the need to constantly carry weapons with oneself gradually began to disappear. And the weapon has a different design. But over a long period of constant presence in Circassia, patronage with the Gazyrs acquired a certain symbolism. A real man is always ready to protect an owl's home and family. Therefore, gazyrs became a decorative element, which is an integral part of the national clothing of the Caucasian peoples.

Photo 9.

Photo 10.

Nowadays, when gazyri are a purely decorative element on the Circassian, the tube itself is made of plastic or a wooden stick. But the tip, as in previous times, is given the main importance. The tips are made of silver, brass, cupronickel. They can be gilded, blackened, or inlaid with bone. Sometimes gazyrs are made from fabric. Most often on children's costumes.

Photo 11.

Photo 12.