Concerning Shashka Hilts

Articles

Sheremetev D. A. (2021). O rukojati shashki [Concerning Shashka Hilts]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 10, pp. 31 — 68. Sheremetev D. A. Abstract: The article is dedicated to a specific hilt shape of a Caucasian shashka. According to a popular hypothesis, hilts with bifurcated pommels derived from the need to use a shashka as a support during rifle shooting. This hypothesis is not substantiated by reliable facts and represents a stereotyped response of technical thinking to an unfamiliar cultural phenomenon. The author proposes a symbolic interpretation of the explored phenomenon and postulates a necessity to apply synthetic rather than analytical research methods to symbolic meanings. Generalized, a shashka hilt is examined together with a yataghan hilt and a Central Asian knife hilt with overhead mounting. Abstraction resulted in obtaining a schematic model of a shashka hilt made of two bone or horn scales riveted to a flat tang of…

Peter the Great’s Travel Sword

Articles

Novoselov V. R. (2021). Pohodnyj tesak Petra Velikogo [Peter the Great’s Travel Sword]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 10, pp. 4 — 30. Novoselov V. R. Abstract: The article offers the research, done on a unique artifact from the collection of the Moscow Kremlin Museums. It is a broadsword with a wide blade of crucible steel, provided with short grooves, carved through for pieces, imitating pearls to roll in. The broadsword came from Peter I’s palace in the village of Preobrajenskoye, where a large group of edged and fire arms, partly belonged to the great monarch, was deposited. In the palace register of weapons, this broad sword was put down as “tesak” (fascine knife). An interesting detail of the object is an engraving, which was made on the silver plate, decorating its scabbard mouth. It represents an image of a warrior, dressed in European fashioned uniform and a Russian…

The Dagger of the Serasker Agmet Urfe-Valesa, a Relic of Russian Military Glory

Articles

Levykin A. K., Novoselov V. R. (2021). Kinzhal seraskira Agmeta Urfe-Valesy – relikvija russkoj voennoj slavy [The Dagger of the Serasker Agmet Urfe-Valesa, a Relic of Russian Military Glory]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 10, pp.  117— 149. Levykin A. K., Novoselov V. R. Abstract: The article examines a precious Turkish dagger that belonged to a high-ranking Turkish military commander Agmet Urfe-Valesa.  The dagger became a trophy of the Russian army in the Battle of Galatsa on November 5, 1769. The detachment of the Russian army that won this victory was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel F. I. Fabrizian, who for this victory was awarded the honor of becoming the first knight of the Order of St. George, which the Empress Catherine II founded shortly before this event. A rare dagger, decorated with enamels and a precious diamond setting, it was sent by the commander of the Russian army, Count…

Concerning the Genealogy of the Master of Cold Weapons Geurk

Articles

Dvalishvili L. B. (2021). K voprosu o genealogii oruzhejnika Geurka [Concerning the Genealogy of the Master of Cold Weapons Geurk]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 10, pp. 78 — 116. Dvalishvili L. B. Abstract: The article contains new and little-known facts about the life of the renowned master of cold weapons Geurk. The author sets the goal to introduce various biographical data about Geurk into scientific circulation since the dissemination of false information about this person is partly caused by an insufficient number of sources. It involves the fact that most archival documents are not processed or published while available data are scattered in numerous publications and lack sufficient attention. In addition, most historical works are aimed at limited groups of Georgian-speaking specialists which makes them inaccessible to Russian-speaking audience. These documents are often overlooked; hence the information gap surrounding the subject remains unbridged. Thus, the article might be informative…

On the Origin of Armour-marking in the German-speaking Lands

Articles

Bogdanov A.E. (2020). K voprosu o vozniknovenii praktiki klejmlenija dospeha v nemeckojazychnyh zemljah [On the Origin of Armour-marking in the German-speaking Lands]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 9, pp. 180 — 203. Bogdanov A. E. Abstract: Master mark is one of the main basics for the correct attribution of the European armour. However, on studying the armour suits, manufactured before the second half of the 15th century,    scholars are inevitably faced with the problem that no country saving Italy practiced armour marking in that time. The aim of the article is to point out and trace the origin of armour marking outside of Italy, and it can be rightfully considered as a turning point in the history of the European armour manufacturing. The author describes the backstory of existence and interconnections of Italian and German gunsmith schools in the 15th century. On the grounds of the analysis of armour…

An officer’s Fate. Junior Captain A.G.Erkudov’s small sword with an award badge of the Order of St. Anne

Articles

Novoselov V.R. (2020). Sud’ba oficera. Annenskaja shashka shtabs-kapitana A. G. Jerkudova [An officer’s Fate. Junior Captain A.G.Erkudov’s small sword with an award badge of the Order of St. Anne]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 9, pp. 170 — 179. Novoselov V. R. Abstract: The article is devoted to a small sword with an award badge of the Order of St. Anne from the collection of the Moscow Kremlin Museums, and to the fate of its owner, Junior Captain A.G.Erkudov. In the course of investigation, the author managed to ascertain that A.G.Erkudov was rewarded with the badge of the order of St. Anne of the 4th Class for the participation in the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-1905. The archival records found by the author permitted him to trace some details of Junior Captain Erkudov’s life and to provide insight into the circumstances by which he earned the award. The short life of…

The Collection of Corps Weapons from the State Hermitage Museum “Arsenal”

Articles

Biskup N.R. (2020). Kollekcija studencheskih korporacij iz sobranija Arsenala Gosudarstvennogo Jermitazha [The Collection of Corps Weapons from the State Hermitage Museum “Arsenal”]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 9, pp. 118 — 149. Biskup N. R. Abstract: The author introduces into scientific discourse the collection of corps weapons from the State Hermitage museum. This unique collection is of great importance for the study of mensur duels that were practiced among the Russian student groups in the second half of the 19th- the beginning of the 20th century. In the “Arsenal” department collections of arms and amour, used in such duels and marked with the corps emblems of Dorpat, Riga and Saint-Petersburg universities are curated. On the territory of the Russian Empire, the corps were organized in the Baltic universities as well as in the Saint-Petersburg and Moscow ones, while the very notion was borrowed from Germany, where the tradition of…

A sword, a suit of armour and a quiver to be presented to Nicholas II

Articles

Neratova E. I. (2020). Mech, dospeh i saadak – dar Nikolaju II [A sword, a suit of armour and a quiver to be presented to Nicholas II]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 9, pp. 150 — 169. Neratova E. I. Abstract: The article deals with the objects from the collection of the Russian museum of ethnography, which were presented on behalf of Dalai Lama XIII to Nicholas II on the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty. The author briefly analyzes the political situation and Russian-Tibetan relationship both in diplomatic and spiritual spheres just before the participation of the Tibet formal representative in the festivities on the occasion of the Russian ruling house jubilee. The presents to the Russian tsar are explained to have been a thoroughly measured stroke of policy, aimed to bring Tibet the international recognition in political affairs. Unfortunately, this move did not have ramifications because of…

On the Inventory of Boris Godunov’s Weapon Treasury. The year of 1588

Articles

Chubinsky A.N. (2020). Ob opisi oruzhejnoj kazny Borisa Godunova 1588 g. [On the Inventory of Boris Godunov’s Weapon Treasury. The year of 1588]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 9, pp. 82 — 117. Chubinsky A. N. Abstract: The inventory of boyard Boris Fyodorovitch Godunov’s treasury 1588, was published about one hundred fifty years ago. The part of the document with weapon descriptions is the oldest Russian inventory of the hand-held weapons, armour and other military equipment. The inventory was made before Godunov’s obtention of the monarch title, but the objects listed there could be later incorporated in the royal arsenal. This important document has not been in focus of a special research of weapon historians yet. The author analyzes the inventory layout, the problems of classification and terminology, and possibility to find out the design of the objects listed. In the inventory the weapons are generally grouped according to…

European Elements in the Military Culture and Weapon Use in Iran

Articles

Malozyomova E. I. (2020). Evropejskie cherty v oruzhejnoj kul’ture Irana [European Elements in the Military Culture and Weapon Use in Iran]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 9, pp. 35 — 63. Malozyomova E. I. Abstract: The article is devoted to the contacts between Iran and different European countries in the field of weapon use and warfare. The author traces the presence of European arms and military forces in the armies of Iran starting from the days of the Achaemenids and up until the 19th century. In the ancient times, Greek soldiers, equipped with their native weapons served in the army of Iran. Some of them were granted membership in the Iranian aristocracy. Later, with the beginning of the Muslim era, European military technologies were used in the armies of those who ruled in Iran. It specially included the firearms, which were developed poorly there. Primary sources fix firearms imported…

A saber with an Image of St. George from the Collection of the State Hermitage Museum

Articles

Obraztsov Vs.N., Pyatnitsky Yu.A. (2020). Sablja s izobrazheniem Sv. Georgija iz sobranija Gosudarstvennogo Еrmitazha [A saber with an Image of St. George from the Collection of the State Hermitage Museum]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 9, pp. 64 — 81. Obraztsov Vs. N., Pyatnitsky Yu. A. Abstract: The article continues the authors’ study series of a group of long-edged weapons from the collection of the State Hermitage museum, which decorative schemes include Christian images. The article deals with a saber ornamented with an image of St. George. The saber entered the Imperial Hermitage museum in 1885-1886 as a part of the Arsenal of Tsarskoye Selo collection. The saber used to belong to the Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovitch, who bought it in the city of Brailov (the nowaday Brail city in Romania) during the Russo-Turkish war of 1828-1829. The saber blade was made of high quality crucible steel and represents…

Weapons by Michele Lorenzoni in the Collection of the Gatchina Palace

Articles

Rodionov E. A. (2020). Oruzhie Mikele Lorenconi v kollekcii Gatchinskogo dvorca [Weapons by Michele Lorenzoni in the Collection of the Gatchina Palace]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 9, pp. 12 — 34. Rodionov E. A. Abstract: The article deals with the weapons made by Michele Lorenzoni, the most famous Florentine gun master of the late 17th- beginning of the 18th centuries, which are curated in the Gatchina palace museum. These are a gorgeous repeating gun № ГДМ-65-IX and an ordinary flintlock gun № ГДМ-707-IX, which lock was made by Lorenzoni. The repeating flintlock gun № ГДМ-65-IX represents a very rare constructive variant of the Lorenzoni system that is usually called the ‘mixed’ system (sistema misto). The ‘Mixed’ system guns, by contrast with the ones of its simpler and quite widespread variants, were made by Michele Lorenzoni solely. This system presumes powder magazine and bullet magazine to be situated in…

Edged Weapons and Ritualized Theatrical Performances in Iran

Articles

Malozyomova E. I. (2020). Holodnoe oruzhie i ritual’no-teatralizovannye predstavlenija v Irane [Edged Weapons and Ritualized Theatrical Performances in Iran]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 8, pp. 151 — 189. Malozyomova E. I. Abstract: The article is devoted to the analyzes of number of Iranian edged weapons, lacking any fighting efficiency but distinctively ornamented, from the collections of the Russian museum of ethnography and Peter the Great Museum of anthropology and ethnography (the Kunstkamera). Such weapons of diversified types (sabers, swords, daggers, battle-axes, defensive weapons) form a considerable part of museum collections, and evidently were produced by quantities in Iran, from where they appeared in the museums either directly, that is important, or via the antique shops in Europe and Russia in the second half of the 19th-the beginning of the 20th centuries. Based on the complex analyses of both the objects, and primary sources as well as research literature…

Specifity of Identification of the Materials, Used for Oriental Edged Weapons Handles Manufacturing, as well as Pieces of Applied Arts, Made of Rhinoceros Horn

Articles

Miloserdov D. Y. (2020). Osobennosti opredelenija materiala rukojatej vostochnogo klinkovogo oruzhija, a takzhe hudozhestvennyh i dekorativno-prikladnyh izdelij, izgotovlennyh iz roga nosoroga [Specifity of Identification of the Materials, Used for Oriental Edged Weapons Handles Manufacturing, as well as Pieces of Applied Arts, Made of Rhinoceros Horn]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 8, pp. 135 — 150. Miloserdov D. Y. Abstract: The article actualizes the problem of correct identification and distinguishing of osteological materials, used for manufacturing of different pieces of applied arts, including the handles of edged weapons. The author states these materials to be often described as just “horn”, though horns of different mammals were used. The most complex the problem is with the describing of the objects made of the horn of the rhinoceros. It causes not only mistakes in museum descriptions, but also more serious aftereffects, concerning the definition of insurance value of the objects transported and…

An Attempt of Hermeneutic Approach to Solve a Problem, Concerning the Interpretation of Indian Historical Weapons as Signs-Objects of Traditional Culture

Articles

Kurochkin A. Y. (2020). Opyt germenevticheskogo podhoda k resheniju gnoseologicheskoj problemy interpretacii predmetov istoricheskogo oruzhija Indii kak veshhej-simvolov tradicionnoj kul’tury [An Attempt of Hermeneutic Approach to Solve a Problem, Concerning the Interpretation of Indian Historical Weapons as Signs-Objects of Traditional Culture]. Istoricheskoe oruzhievedenie [Weapons History Journal], № 8, pp. 93 — 134. Kurochkin A. Y. Abstract: The current research presents a bash, had at analyzes of historical weapons of India,  using the cohesive approach, which was proposed by scholars for studying objects, acting in the traditional cultures and having profound symbolic meaning alongside their utilitarian functions. Simultaneously, the very role of these objects and the range of their practical use are comprehended in terms of their ritual, ceremonial, cultic, and other ways of application, which were not the less practical in the traditional cultures. Today the most common approach used for Indian weapons studying is still the one, which was…