ХОЛОДНОЕ ОРУЖИЕ КАЗАЧЬИХ ВОЙСК ВО 2-Й ПОЛОВИНЕ XIX — НАЧАЛЕ XX В.

Abstract

The article is devoted to the history of the Cossacks and, in particular, the history of cold weapons of Cossack units in the second half of the XIX–XX centuries. The evolution of the main types of cold weapons with which the Cossacks were armed during the period under review is considered. In particular, the analysis of changes in the main type of cold weapons of the Cossacks — sabers (checkers) in 1834–1909. under the influence of changes in the nature of hostilities, the emergence of new materials, economic and psychological factors. Regional specifics in arming Cossacks with long- bladed weapons of different Cossack troops are considered. Considerable attention in the article is paid to a specific type of Cossack cold weapon – a dagger. The article, in particular, examines the daggers of the Caucasian Cossack troops, as well as the regular knife of the Trans-Baikal Cossacks, as well as the dagger borrowed from the local indigenous peoples of the region. Special attention is paid in the article to the study of the pole weapons of the Cossacks — the pike. Despite the obvious archaism of this weapon, it also underwent significant changes during the period under review, reaching a peak in its development both in the material of the shaft — a thin-walled metal tube, and in optimizing the shape of the tip. The article also examines an interesting phenomenon of the beginning of the XX century as a ceremonial Cossack weapon of archaic form — the so-called fangs, which the author perceives as a kind of psychological influence tool designed to raise the morale of the Cossack officers. The article provides accurate information about the size, shape and weight of the Cossacks' cold weapons, as well as brief information about the methods of their use in army units.