Ancient weapons of the navy. Bladed edged weapons of military, court and civil ranks

So, summing up the results of the first, introductory part at the beginning of the second part of the historical excursion, let us recall that by the 18th century in Russia knives were divided into a number of types according to purpose, the main ones: kitchen, hunting, table (food knives), various craft and special knives and also combat knives. The Russian combat knives themselves were of four types: underside, belt, boot and field. But we didn’t say a word about long-bladed products, so in the framework of this article we’ll talk about them.

Halberd and berdysh

Speaking about the cold long-bladed weapons of Russia in the 17th–19th centuries, we should first of all remember halberds and reeds. A halberd is a “cross between” a spear and an axe, a piercing-cutting weapon. Halberds came to Russia from Europe at the beginning of the 17th century. Until the very end of the 17th century, such weapons were used by the royal guards. In the 18th century (under Peter I), sergeants (as a weapon - a distinctive sign) and artillerymen were armed with halberds. In the 19th century, the Russian army abandoned halberds, they began to arm the lower ranks of the police, and since 1856, halberds were completely abolished.

Berdysh (from the Polish berdysz) appeared in Russia in the 15th century and were used until the 18th century. True, for the last century they have been used only as weapons for police watchmen and ceremonial weapons for palace guards. The reed itself is an ax with a long curved blade on the shaft. Berdysh could have small shafts (from 1 meter) and long ones - 2–2.5 meters long.

An interesting moment: in the popular film comedy by Leonid Gaidai “Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession,” one of the palace guards threw a halberd, which, piercing the time machine, closed the time transition. There is a double film blunder at this point. Firstly, Shurik calls this weapon a reed, and this is a completely classic halberd. Secondly, in Russia in the 16th century there were no halberds (they appeared later, during the period of False Dmitry the First). The berdysh themselves are also used in Gaidai’s comedy; the royal archers were armed with them.

Saber

The most venerable long-liver in the history of Russian blades is the saber. Sabers first appeared in Rus' in the 9th century and by XIV century became the most popular and widespread army edged weapon, completely replacing swords. Let us note that in the south of Rus' sabers appeared earlier and took root faster than in the north, closer to Novgorod. From the 15th to the 17th centuries, sabers served as the main weapon of archers, Cossacks, and cavalry warriors. In the 18th century, the saber became personal light weapon cavalry and officers in almost all branches of the military. At the end of 1881, the saber was replaced by a saber in the Russian army. It was preserved only in the guard as a ceremonial weapon, and also as a weapon carried outside the formation by officers of some branches of the military.

Infantry and cavalry sabers

The word "saber" comes from the Hungarian szabni - "to cut". A saber consists of a blade and a hilt. The blade is curved, with a smooth cutting edge on the convex side. The handle could be wood, bone, tin, leather, and so on. The saber first appeared in the countries of the East (VI–VII centuries). Eastern sabers had a hilt with a crosshair, European sabers had a guard of various shapes. The sabers were equipped with a scabbard: wooden (covered in leather, velvet, morocco) or metal. The latter appeared only in the 19th–20th centuries. The metal scabbard was blued, chrome-plated or plated with silver or gold (expensive ceremonial sabers).

Eastern saber

Eastern sabers have a greater curvature of the blade, weight up to 1 kg and a blade length of up to 75–85 cm. European (including Russian) sabers have less curvature, blades up to 90 cm in length and a weight of up to 1.1 kg without a sheath. European-type sabers are equipped with large, if not bulky, cup-shaped hilts or in the form of several bows (from one to three).

Russian sabers were widely used in cavalry and infantry. Cavalry sabers were longer and heavier than infantry ones. The sabers of the hussars and light cavalry had an average blade curvature. The blades of the sabers of the hussar regiments had a statutory form, but were still often decorated in any order, had individual details and characteristics, since they were ordered by the hussars at their own expense (at that time, receiving government weapons among the hussars was considered bad manners).

Officer's saber

Until 1874, Russian sailors used a special naval subtype of a shortened saber - a half-saber with a blade up to 60 cm. Later, the half-saber was replaced by naval sabers (they reached 82 cm in length) and daggers. In various armies of the world, sabers were in service until the end of World War II. Later, they began to be used almost everywhere exclusively as ceremonial weapons.

Half saber

When talking about sabers, one cannot ignore such a phenomenon as “saber etiquette” - saluting with weapons. It is generally accepted that the saber salute originated in the East. The junior in rank salutes the senior with a saber, while simultaneously covering his eyes with his hand raised to his face (acting out a kind of “blinding” by the sun-faced superiors). There is a version that raising the saber blade to the face comes from the ritual of knights during the Crusades. On the hilts of swords and sabers a crucifix or cross was often depicted, which Christian warriors kissed before battle. Currently, the rite of saber salutation is divided into two stages: raising the saber with the hilt to the face (“lift up”) - a modern interpretation of the rite of kissing the cross; lowering the saber blade with the tip downwards - a sign of recognition of submission to a superior.

Checker

Checkers (from the Kabardian-Circassian “sashkho” - “big knife”), as stated above, came to replace sabers in Russia. Externally, the checker is very similar to the saber, but it also has a number of differences. The blade of the checker is only slightly curved; it can both stab and chop. The blade of the checker has a one-sided sharpening, the tip is double-edged. The hilt of the checker does not have a guard (with rare exceptions).

Cossack officer's saber

The checkers were equipped with wooden sheaths covered with leather, which were suspended from the belt belts by rings (two or one) placed on the convex side of the sheath. The saber is worn in the Caucasian manner, with the cutting edge facing up. This is also a difference from the saber (the saber is always worn with the butt up and the suspension rings are placed on the concave side of the scabbard). A saber is usually worn on a shoulder belt, and a saber on a belt.

There are Caucasian and Central Asian checkers. Caucasian checkers have a very weak blade curvature. It was the Caucasian checkers that became the prototypes for the Cossack checkers of the Terek and Kuban Cossacks. The checkers of the peoples of the Caucasus have minor differences in the details and ornamentation of the decorations. The blades of mountain sabers are hidden in sheaths up to the head of the hilt, while for Cossack sabers the hilt is not retracted into the sheath at all.

Caucasian checker

Central Asian checkers are equipped with almost straight blades with a very slight curvature and a very sharp tip. The handles of such checkers have a noticeable thickening at the top. The scabbard is usually wooden, covered with leather, with a steel device. There are Tajik, Turkmen, Bukhara, Kokand and Khiva checkers. These types of Central Asian checkers differ in the material of the handle, decorations, finishing, and details of the sword belt.

Bukhara checkers

In the Russian army, checkers have been used since the 18th century by the Cossacks, and since the 19th century, checkers have been adopted by cavalry and horse artillery soldiers. A statutory decree in 1834 approved the uniform of the military checker. The basis was an Asian type saber with a solid black horn handle. In 1839, the exterior of the Cossack charter saber was approved. It had a handle with a brass frame on the back and head (handle). A brass fitting was connected to the lower ring. In 1881, the saber was adopted as a combined arms bladed weapon for cavalry units of all types, artillerymen, officers and officer corps of the army, gendarmes and police. For various genera troops, the statutory standards for checkers were adopted, but the differences were insignificant.

Dragoon soldier's saber

Dragoon checkers had one fuller, a bow-shaped guard, a wooden scabbard, and a brass device. The scabbards of dragoon sabers had additional clips for a bayonet. Officer's checkers were 9–10 cm shorter than dragoon ones. Blade officer's saber had three shares. The device was made of brass, gilded, with certain adaptations for sword belts. Artillery checkers were of similar sizes and shapes, but with one fuller. Cossack sabers (since 1881) had a handle without a bow, a blade with one fuller and a scabbard similar to the sheath of officer sabers.

Dragoon saber 1881

The Russian army also used checkers of other types. In 1903, in parallel with checkers of the 1881 model, Asian checkers of the 1834 model began to be used again. In 1904, a Caucasian type saber was approved for Caucasian national units and units, with a handle of two linings secured to the shank with three rivets. The blade of this checker was sheathed along with the handle to the very top.

Artillery saber 1868

After the 1917 revolution, Cossack sabers of the 1881 model began to be used in the Red Army. Along with them, checkers of the Caucasian type were used in the Caucasus. The command staff of the Red Army used the dragoon saber. In 1927, a new saber was adopted for the cavalry, created according to the Cossack type and practically no different from it. In 1940, a special saber was adopted for ceremonial use by senior command personnel, which was replaced in 1949 by a dagger. Since the 50s of the twentieth century in the USSR, the saber began to be used exclusively as a ceremonial weapon.

Officer's saber 1940

Dirk

A dirk (a bladed weapon of the piercing type) first appeared in Russia during the time of Peter I. Dirks have a straight, not very long, most often double-edged narrow blade. The handle is bone with a pommel, the cross-shaped guard is small. In cross-section, daggers are triangular, tetrahedral and diamond-shaped. Dirks have been known since the 16th century; they were used as boarding weapons, and later as the personal weapons of naval officers. In Russia, starting from the 18th century, officers of some ground forces began to use daggers. In 1730, non-combatant ranks of the army began to wear a dagger instead of a sword. In 1777, non-commissioned officers of the Jaeger Regiment were armed with daggers instead of swords. These dirks could be installed on muzzle-loading fittings for bayonet fighting. Since 1803 for officers and midshipmen navy In Russia, the rules for wearing daggers as personal weapons were determined. These rules delimited the wearing of forestays, naval sabers and dirks. A little later, a special dirk was created, which was adopted by the couriers of the Maritime Ministry. In 1903, naval engine conductors were allowed to wear daggers, and since 1909 this right extended to all naval conductors.

19th century naval dirk handle

A Russian naval dagger from the 19th century had a square blade 30 cm long with a double-edged tip. The handle was made of ivory, the guard was made of steel. The scabbard was made of wood and covered with black leather. The holders with rings and the tip were made of bronze and gilded. Half a century later, double-edged dirks with diamond-shaped blades became widespread, and at the end of the 19th century, dirks with tetrahedral needle-type blades began to be used. Dimensions of the blades of dirks used in different times, differed significantly. We also note the presence of decorations - most often images of a marine theme.

For Russian naval officers, wearing a dagger outside their ship was mandatory, with the exception of appearing in full dress uniform, in which case they had to carry a naval saber or broadsword. Naval officers serving on shore were also required to wear a dagger. On a ship, only the officer on watch was required to wear a dagger.

Since 1914, dirks began to be used by aviators, military aeronautical troops, officers of automobile units and mine companies. Army aviator daggers had black handles. In 1916, daggers replaced the checkers of military officials, military doctors and chief officers. Since the spring of 1917, daggers began to be worn by the highest ranks of officers, officers and all military officials with the exception of those on horseback (when on horseback, a saber had to be worn). In the same year, 1917, daggers began to be awarded to officers who graduated from military institutions.

Naval dirk 1917

After the October Revolution of 1917, the wearing of dirks was abolished for all officers. Subsequently, wearing a dagger was returned to the command staff of military sailors (from 1924 to 1926, and from 1940 - finally approved).

At the end of World War II, the uniform of the dagger in the USSR army was changed. The new dagger has a flat blade with a diamond-shaped cross-section, 21.5 cm long. The total length of the new dagger is 320 mm. The plastic handle (under the bone) was equipped with a latch to prevent it from falling out of the leather-covered wooden sheath. The dagger received decorations with symbols of the USSR and nautical themes. The presentation of daggers to graduates of naval academies has been preserved.

Dirk 1940

Let us also note that in Russia civilians also used daggers. At the beginning of the 19th century, daggers were allowed to be worn by former naval officers serving in the merchant marine. And from the middle of the 19th century, the command staff of the courts also received this right. In the 19th century, daggers were also worn for some time by certain ranks of telegraph repair guards and postmen.

In 1904, an officer's dagger marine type(distinguished by a wooden black handle) were allowed to be worn by supervisory officials of shipping, fishing and fur farming. The dagger was worn on a belt belt. In 1911, the dirk was allowed to be worn by port officials and maritime inspectors.

During the First World War, daggers were also worn by members of the Sogor and Zemgor unions (organizations created in 1914-1915 to help supply the army, provide medical assistance to the military, help refugees, etc.). But such use of dirks was sporadic and short-lived.

Soviet naval dirks

Naval officers' daggers are a Russian custom and tradition, polished over centuries. It was Russia that became a kind of trendsetter in the fashion of wearing daggers. At the end of the 19th century, the wearing of a dagger by naval officers was borrowed from the Russians by the Japanese, and at the beginning of the 20th century by the Germans. In just a few decades, the dirk was adopted as a personal weapon of a naval officer and part of the uniform in the navies of almost all countries of the world.

Sword

Broadsword (from Polish Palasz and German Pallasch - sword, dagger) is a piercing and chopping weapon, something between an epee and a sword. The broadsword is equipped with a long, straight, narrow blade (length up to 85 cm) with a double-edged, one-sided or one-and-a-half sharpening. The broadsword handle is massive, with a protective cup and arches. The broadsword appeared in Western Europe at the end of the 16th - beginning of the 17th centuries as a weapon for heavy cavalry. The first broadswords were brought to Russia from Europe, and under Peter I their mass production and widespread use was established. Early broadswords had a slightly inclined handle for ease of slashing from a horse. In the first half of the 18th century, dragoons were armed with broadswords. Except broadswords Russian production Products from Germany (masters from the city of Solingen) were also used to arm the dragoon regiments. In 1730, broadswords were adopted by Russian cuirassier regiments. Horse artillerymen were also armed with broadswords. Under Catherine the Second, a crown and the monogram “E II” were engraved on the broadswords of her loyal dragoons.

Dragoon broadswords, 1700–1732

In the 18th century, dragoon, cuirassier, carabinieri, army, guards, officer and soldier broadswords were adopted by the Russian army. They all had a long, heavy blade of approximately the same shape and similar dimensions. The differences were in the shape of the sheath and hilt. The handles had the greatest variety: they could have a protective cup of various sizes and shapes, various arches, even weaves, meshes and shields. The tops of the handles could be round, oval, flat, or in the form of the heads of animals or birds. The scabbard was covered with leather and bound with metal, or mounted in holders of various types. appearance. In the 19th century, hilts became much simpler, as did scabbards. Broadswords remained in the Russian army until the end of the 19th century, after which they were abolished, remaining only in some units as ceremonial weapons.

Broadsword, 1763

Cuirassier officers' broadswords, 1810

The naval broadsword should be considered separately. It looks similar to the cavalry, but also has some character traits. A naval broadsword may have a slightly curved blade (or straight), quite wide and without fullers. The length of the blade is less than that of a cavalry broadsword. The last third of the blade of a sea broadsword (at the tip) has side ribs located asymmetrically relative to the axis of the blade. They are a continuation of the butt and reach the tip. Naval broadswords for the needs of the Russian navy have been manufactured in large quantities in the city of Zlatoust since 1852. They were used until 1905 (in recent years, naval broadswords were worn by sailors of the guards naval crews), after which they were replaced by cutlasses. Until 1917, broadswords were worn by midshipmen of the Naval Corps, Naval School and cadets of special midshipman classes. Since 1958, naval broadswords have been used only as ceremonial weapons.

Naval broadsword, 1855

Sword

A sword (from the Spanish spada) is a piercing (less commonly piercing-cutting) type of bladed weapon that is atypical for Russia. The sword is equipped with a narrow and long blade, which can be flat or faceted, double-edged or sharpened on one side, with or without fullers. The hilt of the sword is symmetrical, with good protection for the hand in the form of a bowl, crosses and bows of various shapes. In Western European countries, the sword gained enormous popularity among nobles in the 16th century.

In Russia, swords appeared in the 17th century, first among spearmen and reiters, and by 1708 among all infantrymen. Later, by 1741, swords were replaced by sabers and half-sabers, and remained only with officers and guards musketeers. In the 17th–18th centuries, Russian swords had double-edged blades, and in the 19th century the blade received a sharpening on one side and a wide fuller. The sword hilts were made of copper (for officers - with gilding). Swords were worn on a belt, in a sword sheath.

Officer's infantry sword, 1798

In the 19th century, swords acquired the significance of a ceremonial, non-combatant weapon. By the middle of the 19th century, the sword became the prerogative of the high command and was gradually mastered by civilian officials. By the beginning of the twentieth century, the sword was completely removed from the military and civilian departments.

Sword of a military official, 1870

Dagger

The dagger (from the Arabic “khanjar”) has been known since ancient times. A dagger is a bladed weapon with a piercing or piercing-cutting action with a double-edged blade. The blade of a dagger can be straight or curved. The length of the dagger blade can reach 40–50 cm, but more often it does not exceed 30–35 cm. The dagger is worn in a sheath. Daggers were not used in the Russian army for a long time, with the exception of military units that took part in the Caucasian campaign. It was in the Caucasus that daggers were extremely popular and widespread. In the Caucasus, daggers of various shapes and sizes were used. It is known about the existence of Caucasian daggers with blades up to 80 cm long.

Caucasian dagger of the 19th century

In the 19th century, mass production of daggers was established in the city of Zlatoust. The leadership of the Russian army appreciated the effectiveness of daggers in hand-to-hand combat, and in 1908, the Bebut dagger, equipped with a short curved blade, adapted for piercing, cutting and secant blows, was adopted into service with machine gun crews, artillerymen and reconnaissance officers. Bebut was also actively used during the First World War in trench battles.

Bebout, 1815

If we turn to the first part of the article, we can easily draw a parallel between the dagger and the Russian combat belt knife. Therefore, it is worth noting that there were dagger-like weapons in Russia.

In the next part we will talk about rare blade products from Russia, follow the development of the bayonet, describe peaceful knives of the 17th–19th centuries and get closer to Russian knives of the First World War.

Military antiques are a memory of past battles, past victories and defeats.

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Heavy cavalry saber model 1867 Sweden. The blade is steel, slightly curvature, single-edged, double-edged at the combat end, with one wide fuller on both ends of the blade. The hilt consists of a handle and a guard. The handle is made of wood, wrapped in thin light leather, and has transverse...

Heavy cavalry saber 1854, Sweden. The blade is single-edged steel, of slight curvature, with one wide fuller. There are registration and production marks on the butt of the blade. The hilt consists of a brass guard with two wide protective bows, a pommel that goes into the back of the handle, and a wooden...

Officer's cavalry broadsword, model 1893. With lanyard. Sweden. The blade is straight, double-edged, with two narrow fullers. On the left heel there are stamps: G.M., crown, E. SVALLING ESKILSTUNA. The hilt consists of a handle and a brass guard. The handle is covered with leather and wrapped along grooves with two rows of twisted steel...

Infantry officer's saber, model 1859, Sweden. The blade is steel, single-edged, of medium curvature, with a tubular spine and a needle point. The hilt consists of a brass guard, decorated with an openwork pattern on the front side, a protective bow that goes into the pommel, a cavilion bent to the side and wood..

The gun was tormented. XIX century Algeria/Morocco..

Soldier infantry saber mod. XI year. France, early 19th century. Steel, copper alloy, leather, wood. Forging, casting, metalworking operations. The blade is steel, slightly curved, single-edged, without fullers, wedge-shaped section. The blade has a mark in the form of the letter L. The hilt is copper-alloy, with a protective bow..

Jambia dagger. Türkiye. Mid-20th century The blade is double-edged, with significant curvature. The handle is metal with a small pommel and decorated with grain. The scabbard is wooden, covered with metal and decorated with the same stones as the handle, also decorated with grain. Total length 305 mm; blade length 170 mm. Width at os..

Jambia dagger. Türkiye. Mid-20th century The blade is double-edged, with significant curvature. The handle is metal, decorated with two blue stones. The scabbard is wooden, covered with metal and decorated with the same stones as the hilt. Total length 330 mm; blade length 192 mm. The width at the base of the blade is 40 mm. ..

Chrises are one of the most common types of bladed weapons among the inhabitants of the Malay Archipelago. It is believed that the kris carries magical power and is not only a weapon, but also a talisman that protects against enemies and evil spirits. The Chrises are credited with many magical properties, for example this...

Trisula – ceremonial trident. Indonesia. The two side blades of the trident bear dragon heads. Wooden handle. The scabbard is wooden, painted. Total length 515 mm; blade length 230 mm. ..

Knife in sheath. Indonesia. First half - mid-twentieth century. The blade is steel, single-edged. The number 5 is stamped at the base of the blade. The wooden handle has the shape of a man squatting. The bolster is made of copper alloy. The scabbard is wooden, consisting of two halves fastened together. ..

Tombak - a spear tip in a sheath. Indonesia. XIX century The blade is made of laminated steel. The type of pamor is not distinguishable. Wooden scabbard. Total length 355 mm; blade length 200 mm. The width at the base of the blade is 16 mm. ..

Knife Batak. Sumatra (Indonesia). XIX century The blade is made of laminated steel. The copper alloy handle is shaped like a human figure and decorated with a tuft of black hair. The metal sheath is covered with the skin of an animal with light hair. The end of the scabbard is in the shape of a human figure. Total length 226 mm;..

The knife is bare. Indonesia. Late XIX V. The blade is steel, single-edged, of slight curvature, made of layered steel. Wooden handle, decorated with carvings, pommel in the shape of a head mythological creature. The scabbard is wooden, with an asymmetrically widening mouth. The scabbard and hilt were made in a later...

Cavalry private's saber, model 1822, France. The blade is steel, slightly curvature, single-edged, double-edged at the combat end, with one wide fuller and one narrow fuller at the butt. The hilt consists of a handle and a brass guard. The handle is attached to the strip in a mounted manner: the end is a shank..

An officer's sword with a lanyard in a sheath. France. End of the 19th century The blade is straight, double-edged, lens-shaped, with one narrow fuller. The hilt consists of a brass guard with a cavillon lowered down on one side, a protective bow connected to the pommel on the other, and a wooden handle with grooves. ..

Soldier's cavalry saber (in sheath). France, Chatellerault arms factory. Beginning of the 20th century Made for the Chilean army. Steel. Forging, metalworking operations. The blade is steel, with slight curvature. The hilt consists of a handle and a guard. The cross-section of the handle is oval and has transverse grooves. Garda..

Cavalry saber. Uninstalled model. German states. XIX century A massive single-edged blade of slight curvature with one wide fuller. There is a mark on the butt of the blade. The hilt consists of a steel cup, two protective arches, a pommel that turns into the back of the handle and a wooden handle. Judging by...

It has been repeatedly repaired and restored. ..

The knife is bare. Indonesia. Beginning of the 20th century The blade is steel, single-edged, of slight curvature. The handle is wooden, decorated with carvings, the pommel is in the shape of a bird's head. The scabbard is wooden, decorated with carvings. Total length: 360 mm; blade length: 220 mm; blade width: 22 mm. ..

French naval officer's sword model 1837. Steel blade, rhombic cross-section. The handle is made of dark bone, barrel-shaped, oval in cross-section. The head of the sword handle is conical, with a dome-shaped top. Under the head of the handle and at the bottom there are identical bushings decorated with relief...

Diplomatic official's sword housings. France. XIX century Sword of an official of the diplomatic corps. France. Mid-19th century The blade has a triangular cross-section with etching and engraving from the manufacturer Klingenthal. The hilt has a complex design and consists of a brass openwork cup, a protective bow, a wooden hand...

Dagger Chris. Sulawesi. XIX century Small kris dagger, Sulawesi Island (Indonesia). XIX century Iron, rock nickel, steel, wood, copper alloy. Chris with a straight but slightly curved overall blade. The pamor is faintly visible. The wooden handle is of the ayam patah tekah (chicken with a broken neck) type...

Tombak knife. Indonesia. First half of the twentieth century. Traditionally, the tombak is the tip of a spear, although it has its own sheath. Less commonly, the tombak was used, as in this case, as a knife blade. The blade is double-edged, lens-shaped. There are inscriptions in Arabic on the blade. The handle, like the scabbard, is curved..

Cavalry saber. Spain. XIX century The blade is steel, slightly curved, single-edged, the combat end is double-edged, with a single wide fuller. On the heel of the blade there is a mark indicating the place of production (TOLEDO) and the manufacturer, as well as a military registration number stamped on top of it...

Officers' sword military justice and gendarmerie model 1853 with a lanyard. Steel, brass, gilding, engraving. The blade is straight, double-edged, with two narrow fullers. On both heels of the blade there are marks and engraved inscriptions - the name of the manufacturer: Klinengtal. Cast brass handle...

Tibetan traveler's knife with chopsticks. The blade is straight, single-edged, and the handle is bone. The scabbard is wooden, with a ring for fastening on the belt, covered with metal. The sheath has two additional holes for sticks. Total length: 210 mm; blade length: 120 mm. ..

Cavalry saber, model 1904, Austria-Hungary. The blade is slightly curvature, with a tubular spine and a needle-shaped end. The tip is shifted to the line of the butt. The hilt consists of a handle and a steel guard. The handle is covered with rough leather and has seven transverse grooves. The back of the handle is covered with steel...

Qatar, stabbed Indian dagger of the 19th century. The blade has a reinforcing “rib” on both sides. The end of the dagger has a special extension for piercing chain mail. Katar is an Indian dagger of the stabbed type. Another variant of the name is jamadhar (“blade of the god of death” or “tongue of the god of death”). Designed..

Short wakizashi sword. Japan. XIX century The blade is in a shirasaya sheath. Shirasaya literally translates as “white scabbard”. This is a special sheath that was used for transportation and long-term storage of the blade. At first, shirasayas were made in the form of a box, into which the entire...

Dagger Chris. Indonesia. XIX century Chrises are one of the most common types of bladed weapons among the inhabitants of the Malay Archipelago. It is believed that the kris carries magical powers and is not only a weapon, but also a talisman that protects against enemies and evil spirits. Chris is credited with many magic...

Officer's sword. Beginning of the 19th century France. The blade is steel, double-edged, straight, lens-shaped. The blade has gilded needle etching. The hilt consists of a brass guard, one cavilion, a protective bow and pommel; and a wooden handle with spiral grooves. The end of the cavilion in the morning..

Lancer officer's saber mod. 1889 Mecklenburg (Germany). The blade is steel, single-edged with one wide fuller. There is etching on both holomenias of the blade. On one holomen the name and number of the regiment are etched, on the other there is a drawing of a military theme. On the butt of the blade there is also etching with growth..

Sword. France. Mid-19th century The blade is steel, single-edged, straight, with one fuller. The hilt consists of a brass guard with a protective bow and pommel; and a horn handle with transverse grooves. Leather scabbard with brass end and mouth. There is a peg at the base of the scabbard. Total length: 885 mm; length..

Pocket pistol, capsule. France. Mid-19th century The barrel is steel, made of Damascus. The lock box has a floral design engraved on it. Wooden handle with inlaid ornament. Total length: 190 mm; barrel length: 75 mm; caliber: 13.6 mm. ..

Alemang Buginese. Indonesia. XVIII - XIX centuries The blade is straight, single-edged, made of laminated steel. The handle is made of black wood. Leather scabbard, ending lost. The handle and scabbard were made at a much later period than the blade. Total length: 600 mm; blade length:..

Sword. Sumbawa Island (Indonesia). XIX century or earlier. The steel blade has a slight curvature and has a so-called “one and a half” sharpening (the cutting edge of one of the sides starts from half the length of the blade). The number 1790 is stamped at the base of the blade. The handle is made of black wood, significantly wider..

Golok. Indonesia. First half of the twentieth century. The blade is steel, single-edged, of slight curvature. The blade is artificially darkened with a black compound. The handle is wooden, decorated with carvings, the pommel is in the shape of the head of a feline animal. The scabbard is wooden, decorated with carvings. Total length: 450 mm; blade length:..

Golok. Indonesia. XIX century A very unusual specimen with a blade from Chris. The blade is made of layered steel, the stain is visible. The handle is carved, wooden, in the shape of a parrot's head. The scabbard is wooden, covered with snakeskin. The mouth of the scabbard is made of white metal with chased ornaments. Total length: 420 mm; blade length: 295..

Kunjang. Indonesia. XX century Kunjang is a weapon native to West Java (Sundan region). Without the necessary equivalent in Russian, we will call it a sickle, despite the fact that its shape is significantly different from the shape of a regular sickle. In fact, the name of the sickle in Indonesian is "chelurit"..

Sword. Germany. XVIII century Sword. Germany. XVIII century The blade is steel, double-edged, straight lens-shaped. Despite its elegance, the blade is quite strong and reliable, but at the same time time is easy, which makes this sword a good weapon in the hands of a skilled fencer. The hilt consists of a handle, gar..

Cavalry saber. Sweden. XIX century The blade is steel, single-edged, slightly curvature, with one wide fuller. The hilt consists of a brass guard with three protective arches, a pommel that goes into the back of the handle, and a wooden handle with transverse grooves. There are registration marks on the hilt. Steel scabbard..

Austrian military officials' sword, model 1878. The blade is straight, double-edged with one wide fuller. There is etching on the blade. The hilt consists of a handle with a brass curved lion's head and a brass guard. The handle is formed by two mother-of-pearl cheeks, fastened with two brass ornamented...

Infantry officer's sword mod. 1867 Saxony. Swords of this model were in service with the German army until the beginning of the twentieth century. The blade is nickel-plated, double-edged, straight, with two narrow fullers. The blade has gilded etching in the form of an imperial monogram under a crown. The hilt consists of a brass fold...

Infantry officer's saber, model 1821, France. The blade is steel, single-edged, of medium curvature, with one wide fuller. Half of the blade on each holomeni is blued and gilded with military-themed designs made by needle etching. The hilt consists of a brass guard with two protective arms..

The traditional weapon of the inhabitants of the Malay archipelago is the kris dagger. This type of kris is typical of the Mindano Island (Southern Philippines). The blade is steel, double-edged, with a wavy cutting edge. The handle is wooden with a pommel bent at a right angle. The blade and the handle are connected by a copper ring...

Cleaver, Philippines/Luzon. First half of the twentieth century. The blade is steel, single-edged, of slight curvature. The guard and bolster are made of brass alloy, the handle is made of ebony. The pommel of the handle is made in the shape of the head of a mythological animal and trimmed with copper alloy inserts. Wooden scabbard...

Heavy cavalry saber model 1864 Sweden. A massive steel blade, single-edged, of slight curvature, with one wide fuller. There are production marks on the heel of the blade. The hilt consists of a brass guard with two protective arches that turn into a pommel and a wooden handle with transverse grooves...

Artillery saber mod. 1831 Sweden Artillery saber model 1831 Sweden. A massive wide blade, single-edged, of slight curvature, with one wide fuller and one narrow lobe. The hilt of the so-called Blucher type has a D-shape. The blade and hilt have manufacturing and...

Artillery saber, model 1831, Sweden. A massive wide blade, single-edged, of slight curvature, with one wide fuller and one narrow lobe. The hilt of the so-called Blucher type has a D-shape. There are production and registration marks on the blade and hilt. Steel scabbard with two edges..

Infantry cleaver model 1848 with lanyard. Sweden. The blade is steel, straight, without fullers, single-edged. The hilt consists of a handle and a cross. The cross-section of the handle is oval, smoothly curved towards the blade of the blade, formed by two black wooden cheeks, fastened to the shank of the blade by two...

Hussar saber. Bavaria. Mid-19th century The blade is single-edged steel, of medium curvature with one wide fuller. The blade has a needle etching - the monogram of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. There is an inscription on the butt of the blade, probably the signature of the master. The hilt consists of a steel guard with three protective arms..

Artillery saber mod. 1822 without scabbard. Bavaria. The blade is single-edged steel, of medium curvature with one wide fuller. The hilt consists of a steel guard with three protective bows, one end bent downwards - a cavilion, a pommel, a back and a wooden handle. The handle is covered with leather and has a transverse...

Infantry saber model 1845 without scabbard. France. The blade is steel, single-edged, with a needle point. The blade has one wide fuller and one narrow fuller. The hilt consists of a brass guard with a cavillon lowered down on one side, connected to the other by a protective bow with a pommel and a wooden...

Kukri in sheath. India. Beginning of the 20th century The blade is steel, single-edged, with significant curvature. The blade of the blade runs along the inside of the curve. At the base of the blade there is a “cho” notch. The handle is made of rosewood. The scabbard is wooden, covered with black leather. Kukri (kukri, another trans..

Unique Buryat knife. The wooden parts of the handle and sheath are made of walnut, the metal parts of the sheath and handle are silver. The scabbard is decorated with precious stones. The scabbard contains the coat of arms of the USSR. Dedication signature on the blade. Length 40cm. Prepayment 100%. Delivery at buyer's expense...

Bebut, early 20th century, Chrysostom. the marks on the blade were cut down into civilian ones, for obvious reasons, but the circle of the word “Chrysostom” is still quite legible. Acceptance stamps are visible on the scabbard holder. Prepayment 100%. Delivery at the buyer's expense. ..

The eastern bebut, the so-called “tiger fang”. 19th century, horn handle, rivets and glass on the scabbard - silver. Prepayment 100%. Delivery at the buyer's expense. ..

Bavarian ceremonial saber, 19th century. Excellent condition. Blade Solingen, marks erased. Double sided etching. Advance payment 100% Delivery at the buyer's expense Delivery by Business lines or other transport company..

Original original. The medal is in its original plexiglass box and cardboard packaging. The cardboard packaging reads in Japanese and English: Designed by Seibo Kitamura Hard physical and mental training is a prerequisite for championship athletic performance. The beauty of young people ex..

Original original. Payment token (Wertmarke) part with field post number 37282 Dienststelle Feldpostnummer -37282-. 50 pfennigs. Zinc, diameter 30.2 mm, weight 5.34 g. Super condition, shiny surface. Shipping only within Russia at the buyer's expense. I don't send abroad...

Original original. The medal is in its original box with its original booklet. The booklet in Japanese and English reads: The Tokyo Olympics Memorial Medal is sponsored by the Japan Athletic Promotion Foundation. Material: gold plated copper. Obverse design: Scene...

Original original. Akita Prefectural Police Desktop Commendation Medal. Diameter 65 mm, weight 156.16 g. Obverse: Akita Prefectural Police Headquarters building against the background of a giant butterbur leaf (in Japanese Akitabuki 秋田蕗) Reverse: 賞 Sho > reward; 秋田県 Akita-ken 警察 K..

The blade is steel, slightly curvature, single-edged, with one wide and two narrow fullers on both sides. The fighting end is double-edged. The hilt consists of a handle with a head and a brass guard. The guard is formed by a front bow extending from the outer part of the handle and smoothly turning into a cross. ..

Checker of the Kuban-Caucasian region second half of the 19th century V. Russian empire. Perfectly balanced for horse riding. General characteristics: overall length: 994 mm, blade length 835 mm, blade width 31 mm. On the end of the blade there is a marking in the form of a stylized crown and numbers..

Bebut artillery model 1907. The blade is steel, double-edged, with two narrow fullers. The bebut handle is made of wood and is attached to the blade handle with two brass rivets. Without a sheath. - length in sheath 64 cm. - length of bebuta 59.5 cm. - blade length 44 cm. - blade width 3.6 cm...

Problem with the hairpin. The enamel is intact...

Reproduction of red table wine for the German Armed Forces in 1941. Label inscription Nur fur die Deutche Wehrmacht For German Armed Forces only. Controlee NSDAP party control of the NSDAP. Red table wine 1941, 9-11%, volume 0.7. Made in Europe Excellent collectible..

Breastplate and helmet of a carabineer officer of the Second Empire, France, 1852 - 1870. Excellent condition, no dents. There are no side straps. ..

Nicholas II. Without pad. ..

Nicholas II. St. George medal with block. ..

Europe. Pipe diameter 12cm. Brass, leather. ..

Germany 1920-1945 Dimensions: total length 20.5 cm, blade length 17 cm...

Germany. Dimensions: total length 20.5cm; blade length 10.5 cm. 1940-1950.

Norway, 1960 Silver details. Total length 22 cm; blade length 10.5 cm...

The Second World War. This knife was awarded to pilots of Japanese kamikaze units in order to save themselves from suffering during a ram approach. Dimensions: total length 19cm; blade length 11cm...

Dimensions: total length 108 cm, blade length 83 cm...

Table souvenir: Cannonball on a cast iron stand. 18 century. A support stand with a surface decorated with relief patterns. Product of Kasli masters. Cast iron cannonball from a 4-pounder cannon from the Napoleonic Wars era. The items are connected to each other with a brass bolt. Real historical tabletop..

Original original. Silver, diameter 27 mm, weight 5.69 g. Obverse: portraits of newlyweds, above them two shaking hands. Circular legend: OMNIUM RERUM NEXUS NOBILIOR, below Fides 1654 Reverse: coat of arms of the groom, circular legend CL GALLAND Sr DE BEAUSABLON ET DAME C GUYON S ESP The token is private, poet..

Dirk.

(Russia)

When it comes to the edged weapons of sailors, the image of this particular dagger always comes to mind, with a long double-edged blade of a rhombic cross-section gradually tapering towards the tip. But has it always been like this and is it only a weapon for sailors? Let's figure it out.

The name "dagger" is taken from the Hungarian word kard - sword. Appeared at the end of the 16th century. and was originally used as a boarding weapon. The reason for this is its small size, which allows it to be used in hand-to-hand combat against a not very protected enemy on decks that are not particularly free, where there is no possibility of a wide swing or swing.

Hunting dagger. Germany, 30s of the 20th century.

From the 18th century It also acquires another area of ​​application - as a hunting weapon. By that time, hunting in most cases proceeds using firearms and the use of bladed weapons is reduced to the level of weapons necessary for the personal protection of the hunter or as a means of finishing off the animal.

But still, the main purpose of the dirk remains as an element of a military uniform.

In Russia, daggers became widespread at the beginning of the 19th century. as a bladed weapon with a certain form of clothing, replacing a sword or a naval officer's saber. In 1803, daggers were assigned to all naval officers and naval midshipmen. cadet corps. Later, a special dirk was also adopted for couriers of the Naval Ministry.

In the second half of the 19th - early 20th centuries. wearing a dirk was mandatory for all forms of clothing, except for that which required a saber. Only daily service on the ship exempted officers, except the watch commander, from wearing it.

In 1903, daggers were also assigned to some ship specialists who did not belong to the officer category, first to engine engineers, and in 1909 to other conductors.

In 1914, the dirk became an accessory not only for sailors, but also became a uniform weapon in aviation, aeronautical units, mine companies, and automobile units.

During the First World War, the right to wear a cutlass was gradually extended to quite a few a large number of categories of military personnel, military officials and civil servants of various departments serving the needs of the army. The spread of this weapon was facilitated by its small size and light weight, low cost, as well as the lack of demand for such a bulky weapon as a saber in conditions of trench warfare. So, in 1916, the dagger was assigned to officers and military officials of the Military Air Fleet Administration. This dirk completely copied naval dirks with a straight blade, but could have a black handle. However, many pre-revolutionary photographs that have survived to this day show that daggers with white handles were also widespread among aviators and army officers, although they were considered more characteristic of the navy. Officers of automobile batteries also had the right to wear dirks for shooting at air fleet, motorcycle units and aviation schools.

On August 23, 1916, all chief officers and military officials, with the exception of chief officers of artillery and cavalry, were assigned, for the duration of the war, instead of checkers, daggers with the right to use checkers at will. In November 1916, the wearing of dirks was allowed for military doctors and chief officers of the infantry and artillery, and in March 1917 it was extended to all generals, officers and military officials of all units, “except for cases of being on horseback in the ranks and performing mounted service.”

The wording “since May 1917, officers who graduated from military educational institutions began to receive daggers instead of checkers” is also widespread in the literature. However, it should be remembered that officers in Russia at the beginning of the twentieth century. did not receive any uniforms, equipment or weapons from the treasury at all and had to be equipped and armed exclusively at their own expense. It was this factor, coupled with the general high cost of wartime, that caused the widespread use of daggers among the troops at the end of the World War, but the statement that officers released from schools and ensign schools in 1917 could only acquire daggers is fundamentally incorrect. The wide distribution of daggers in 1916–1917, in turn, gave rise to a huge number of varieties of these weapons, with a general similarity of designs and sizes differing in small details, in particular in the materials and color of the handle, as well as in the finishing details. It should be noted that after the February Revolution of 1917, wearing the monograms of the abdicated emperor on officer weapons was prohibited in both the army and the navy. One of the orders of the Naval Minister of the Provisional Government contained a direct instruction to “destroy the monogram image on the weapon.” In addition, in the conditions of the deliberate disintegration of the army by enemy agents and the associated collapse of discipline, the use of monarchical symbols in a number of cases could lead to very sad consequences for an officer, even physical violence from propagandized soldiers. However, the monogram on the hilt was not destroyed (chased or sawed off) in all cases. Dirks produced after March 1917 did not initially have monogram images on the hilt.

In some documents of the early 20th century, describing the uniform of ranks of the fleet and port administration, the term “short sword” is found. It was an ordinary naval officer's dagger. Its appearance as part of the uniform of the ranks of the Russian merchant fleet should be attributed to the beginning of the 19th century.

By a decree of the Admiralty Boards of April 9, 1802, it was allowed to release officers, navigators, non-commissioned officers and sailors of the navy to serve on Russian merchant ships. In these cases, officers and navigators retained the right to wear a naval uniform, and therefore a dagger. In 1851 and 1858, with the approval of uniforms for employees on the ships of the Russian-American Company and the Caucasus and Mercury Society, the right to wear a naval officer's dagger by the command staff of ships was finally secured.

In the 50-70s. XIX century daggers also became part of the uniform of some ranks of the telegraph repair guard: department manager, assistant manager, mechanic and auditor.

In 1904, a naval officer's dagger (but not with a white bone, but with a black wooden handle) was assigned to the class ranks of shipping, fishing and animal control.

Since 1911, such a dagger (or, as before, a civilian sword) was allowed to be worn only in everyday uniform (frock coat): by ranks of port institutions; when visiting ports - to the minister, comrade of the minister, officials of the department of commercial ports and inspectors of merchant shipping. During normal official activities, officials of the Ministry of Trade and Navigation were allowed to be unarmed.

In November 1917, the dirk was canceled and first returned to the command staff of the RKKF in 1924, but two years later it was abolished again and only 14 years later, in 1940, it was finally approved as a personal weapon for the command staff of the Navy.

It should be noted that in Soviet period the dagger was mainly part of a naval uniform. The exception to this rule was the introduction of the dagger as an element of the uniform of the diplomatic department and railway workers in the period from 1943 to 1954, for generals in the period from 1940 to 1945, and for pilots in the period from 1949 to 1958.

Nowadays, the dagger, like a personal edged weapon, is awarded along with lieutenant shoulder straps to graduates of higher naval schools (now institutes) simultaneously with the presentation of their diploma of higher education. educational institution and the assignment of the first officer rank.

Dirk as a reward. For 200 years, the dagger was not only a standard weapon, but also served as a reward. According to the statutes of the Order of St. Anna and the Order of St. George, for committing the corresponding act, the person could be given a dagger on which the corresponding order and lanyard were attached, which was officially equivalent to the awarding of such an order.

IN Soviet time the tradition of awarding weapons was not forgotten and the dagger began to be awarded as an award weapon according to the decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee of April 8, 1920 as an Honorary revolutionary weapon, which is a dagger with a gilded hilt. The Order of the Red Banner of the RSFSR was placed on the hilt.

By decree of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR of December 12, 1924, an all-Union Honorary revolutionary weapon was established: a saber (dagger) with a gilded hilt and the Order of the Red Banner applied to the hilt, a revolver with the Order of the Red Banner attached to its handle and a silver plate with the inscription: “To an honest warrior Red Army from the Central Executive Committee of the USSR 19.... G.". In 1968, the Presidium of the Supreme Council introduced the awarding of honorary weapons with a gold image of the State Emblem.

Dirk in the world. Russia is not the only country where the dagger was used as a standard weapon. Almost all countries that owned a navy used it almost from the beginning of the 19th century. And, if at first these were smaller copies of sabers and swords, then starting from the end of the 19th century. the borrowing of the Russian naval dirk as a standard model begins, and in the 20th century. Russian naval dagger becomes the main type of dagger in the world, of course, taking into account national characteristics and weapon traditions in its design.

Types of standard dirks.

Austria-Hungary

1. Naval officer's dirk, model 1827.
2. Naval officer's dirk, model 1854.

Austria

Bulgaria

Great Britain

1. Dagger of midshipmen and cadets, model 1856.
2. Midshipmen's and cadets' dagger, model 1910.

Hungary

1. Officer's medical service dirk, model 1920.

Germany

1. Officer's and non-commissioned officer's dagger of automobile units, model 1911.
2. Naval cadet dirk, model 1915.
3. Naval officer's and non-commissioned officer's dirk, model 1921.
4. Dagger of officials of the land customs service, model 1935.
5. NSFK dirk, model 1937
6. Dagger of the railway guard service, model 1937.
7. Dirkcommand staff of the maritime customs service, model 1937.
8. Air Sports Union pilots' dagger, model 1938.
9. Dagger of the senior command staff of the railway police, model 1938.
10. Dirk of the Hitler Youth leaders, model 1938.
11. Dirk of State Leaders Model 1938
12. Naval officer's dirk, model 1961.

Greece

Denmark

1. Officer's dirk, model 1870.
2. Ground officer's dagger air force model 1976

Italy

1. Volunteer militia officers' dagger national security(M.V.S.N.) model 1926

Latvia

Netherlands

Norway

Poland

1. Dagger of senior boatswains, boatswains and cadets of the Navy officer school, model 1922.
2. Dagger of officers and non-commissioned officers of the armored forces, model 1924.
3. Naval officer's dirk, model 1924.
4. Naval officer's dirk, model 1945.

Prussia

1. Naval officer's dirk, model 1848.

Russia

1. Dagger of the highest command staff of the NKPS (MPS) model 1943.

Romania

1. Aviation dagger model 1921

Slovakia

IN Russian army and the dagger appeared in the navy under Peter I. In addition to naval officers, in the 18th century it was also worn by some ranks ground forces. In 1730, the dagger replaced the sword among non-combatants army officials. In 1803, the wearing of daggers as personal weapons for officers and midshipmen of the navy was regulated, and cases were identified when a dagger could replace a sword or a naval officer's saber.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the blade of a Russian naval dirk had square section and an ivory handle with a metal cross. The end of the 30-centimeter blade of the dirk was double-edged. The length was 39 cm. On a wooden scabbard covered with black leather, in the upper part of the device there were two gilded bronze holders with rings for attaching to a sword belt, and in the lower part there was a tip for the strength of the scabbard. The sword belt, made of black multi-layered silk, was decorated with bronze gilded lion heads. Instead of a badge there was a clasp in the form of a snake, curved like the Latin letter S.

Symbols in the form of lion heads were borrowed from the coat of arms of the Russian tsars of the Romanov dynasty. In the middle of the 19th century, double-edged blades with a diamond-shaped cross-section became widespread, and at the end - tetrahedral needle-type blades. The sizes of dagger blades, especially in the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries, varied greatly. The decorations of the blades could be different, often they were images related to marine themes.

Over time, the length of the blade of the dirk decreased somewhat. The Russian naval dagger of the 1913 model had a blade 240 mm long and a metal handle. Somewhat later, the handle was changed, and the metal on it remained only in the form of the lower ring and tip. A Russian naval officer was required to wear a dagger whenever he appeared on the shore. The exception was the ceremonial officer uniform: in this case, the dagger was replaced by a naval saber and broadsword. While serving in the coastal establishments of the fleet, a naval officer also had to wear a dagger. On a ship, wearing a dagger was mandatory only for the watch commander.

In 1914, daggers became part of a certain form of clothing in aviation, aeronautical units, mine companies, and automobile units. Army aviation dirks differed from naval ones with black handles. In August 1916, dirks replaced sabers among chief officers and military officials, except for cavalry and artillery. In November 1916, army doctors received daggers. In March 1917, the wearing of daggers was extended to all generals, officers and military officials of all military units, except when in formation on horseback. Since May 1917, officers who graduated from military educational institutions began to receive daggers instead of checkers.