“Weapons History Journal”, 15, 2025

Journals

Editorial Categories of scientific freshness Levan B. Dvalishvili Armourers’ specialization in Tiflis (1633-1865) Sergey V. Talantov On the history of Kuban Cossack Host’s order for shashka blades from Zlatoust Arms Factory in 1869 Sergey V. Talantov Terek Cossack Host and blades manufactured by the Zlatoust Arms Factory: history of orders from 1904 to 1917 Vasiliy R. Novosyolov, Dmitry Y. Miloserdov Combat knives in Armoury Chamber in the 17th century Aleksey Y. Kurochkin Indian armed ascetics, malla wrestlers, and vratyas: connecting traditions through the argument of arms complex Anton V. Dedyulkin, Ildar F. Kayumov, Dmitry V. Meshcheryakov, Yury V. Popov, Konstantin K. Postoev Results of a Comprehensive Study of Hellenistic Muscle Cuirasses from the South Ural Region Aleksey Y. Kurochkin Review: D.A. Sheremetyev “Postulates about pistols” In memory of Boris E. Frolov In memory of Dmitry P. Aleksinsky Download issue in Russian

Results of a Comprehensive Study of Hellenistic Muscle Cuirasses from the South Ural Region

Articles

Dedyulkin A.V., Kayumov I.F., Meshcheryakov D.V., Popov Y.V., Postoev K.K. (2025). Rezul’taty kompleksnogo issledovanija jellinisticheskih muskul’nyh pancirej iz Juzhnogo Priural’ja [Results of a Comprehensive Study of Hellenistic Muscle Cuirasses from the South Ural Region]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 15, pp. 291—357. Dedyulkin A.V., Kayumov I.F., Meshcheryakov D.V., Popov Y.V., Postoev K.K. Abstract: This article presents new materials and results of a study of Hellenistic muscle cuirasses discovered in nomadic burials in the South Ural region. The armor originates from the necropoleis of Berdyanka V and Prokhorovka, the latter being eponymous for the Early Sarmatian culture. Newly identified fragments of a cuirass from the Prokhorovka necropolis are published here for the first time; previously, this armor was known only from archival photographs. Identical features in the neck opening and decorative edging suggest that the Prokhorovka cuirass and the armor from Berdyanka were produced in the same workshop. For the…

Indian armed ascetics, malla wrestlers, and vratyas: connecting traditions through the argument of arms complex

Articles

Kurochkin A.Y. (2025). Indijskie vooruzhennye askety, borcy-malla i vrat’i: svjaz’ tradicij cherez argument kompleksa vooruzhenij [Indian armed ascetics, malla wrestlers, and vratyas: connecting traditions through the argument of arms complex]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 15, pp. 208—290. Kurochkin A.Y. Abstract: The article demonstrates the limitations of the existing approach to determining when the phenomenon of armed Indian asceticism first appeared in history. Attempts to explain it solely through the establishment of militarized divisions within existing sampradayas are motivated by the convenience of researching the well-documented period of the 16th-18th centuries. The article shows that armed Indian ascetics preferred extremely archaic types of weapons, even those not associated with religious symbolism: the design of their preferred daggers matches that of iron daggers from the 1st millennium AD. The author proves that the design of the double-edged dagger made from antelope horns and the traditions surrounding its use correspond to the…

Combat knives in Armoury Chamber in the 17th century

Articles

Novosyolov V.R., Miloserdov D.Y.  (2025). Boevye «nozhi» v Oruzhejnoj palate XVII v. [Combat knives in Armoury Chamber in the 17th century]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 15, pp. 166—207. Novosyolov V.R., Miloserdov D.Y. Abstract: The article examines a group of knives which have been preserved in the Armoury Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin Museums as part of a collection of arms that has been kept in the royal arsenal since the 1680s. The authors attribute these artefacts according to their place and time of manufacture. The authors conclude that out of the four knives that have remained from the royal armoury, only one “saadak knife” can be considered, with some caution, a model of a Russian combat knife of the 17th century. All other artifacts originate from Southeast Asia, but they were kept in the active arsenal and were perceived not as overseas rarities, but as utilitarian items. Keywords: Armoury…

Terek Cossack Host and blades manufactured by the Zlatoust Arms Factory: history of orders from 1904 to 1917

Articles

Talantov S.V. (2025). Terskoe kazach’e vojsko i klinki proizvodstva Zlatoustovskoj oruzhejnoj fabriki: istoriya zakazov 1904 – 1917 gg. [Terek Cossack Host and blades manufactured by the Zlatoust Arms Factory: history of orders from 1904 to 1917]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 15, pp. 74—165. Talantov S.V. Abstract: In 1904, samples of daggers and shashkas for the Caucasian Cossack troops were approved by the Emperor. This article examines archival documents containing information about orders for dagger and shashka blades of model 1904, manufactured by the Zlatoust Arms Factory for the Terek Cossack Host between 1905 and 1917. Particular attention is paid to orders placed during World War I. The article also examines the manufacture of handles, scabbards and sword belts for Zlatoust-made blades by private factories in the Terek oblast. The role of the Guzunov manufactory (Vladikavkaz) in supplying the Terek Cossacks with daggers was studied. Keywords: shashka blade of…

On the history of Kuban Cossack Host’s order for shashka blades from Zlatoust Arms Factory in 1869

Articles

Talantov S.V. (2025). K istorii zakaza Kubanskim kazach’im vojskom shashechnyh klinkov na Zlatoustovskoj oruzhejnoj fabrike v 1869 g. [On the history of Kuban Cossack Host’s order for shashka blades from Zlatoust Arms Factory in 1869]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 15, pp. 53—73.   Talantov S.V. Abstract: The article examines the history of the Kuban Cossack Host’s order for a batch of shashka blades from Zlatoust Arms Factory in 1869. The research problematic is determined by the following circumstances: 1) the absence of any description of ordered blades’ appearance based on reliable sources, in previously published works dedicated to Cossack arms; 2) the absence of known items that can be attributed as “M1869 Kuban Cossack Host shashka blade”. Based on documents studied, the author managed to specify the appearance of the blades ordered by Kuban Cossack Host in 1869. Keywords: shashka, M1869 shashka blade, Kuban Cossack Host, Zlatoust arms factory,…

Armourers’ specialization in Tiflis (1633-1865)

Articles

Dvalishvili L.B. (2025). Specializacija oruzhejnikov v Tiflise (1633-1865) [Armourers’ specialization in Tiflis (1633-1865)]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 15, pp. 12—52. Dvalishvili L.B. Abstract: Late feudal Tiflis was a major commercial and industrial centre in the region. Despite the fact that the city’s industrial and commercial potential was affected by circumstances related to periods of wartime, on the whole, even in the most difficult political conditions, Tiflis retained its role as a regional commercial and industrial centre, being connected by transit routes to various countries around the world, and played a key role in the development of the region’s economy. Transit routes passing through Tiflis and a large concentration of merchants contributed to the growth of the city’s population and the development of craft production. The development of craft industries led to their differentiation, both as a whole and within individual industries. Armourers specialised in manufacture of specific types of…