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 Chamber, knives, saadak knife (podsaadashniy knife), spearheads, Tibetan sword “dpa’dam” (or “pa tam”), Russia, Central Asia, Vietnam, Tibet, 17th century, royal armoury, Moscow Kremlin Museums.