The armament of the Russian army in the 16th century

Вооружение русского войска в 16 в .greatly improved and in many ways superior to other weapons of modern armies. Improved and more uniform cold and protective arms of cavalry. Widespread gun - manual and cannon. Not only infantry but also some cavalry were armed with "rushnitsami" or "samopalami", that is with guns matchlock fuse. This was facilitated by the development of extractive industries and handicrafts.

Major role in the production of weapons and military equipment, Moscow played - it was "in the fullest sense an arsenal of Russia." From 1547 known Oruzheynichya chamber, which then not only preserved, but also produced cold steel and firearms, saddles, banners and armor.Emerged in the 15th century. Cannon yard into a large foundry, which produced copper and iron implements of various types and purposes and the iron core to them. Guns and core making and in other cities, such as Vladimir, Novgorod, Pskov.Together with the establishment of armor and Cannon orders in the 70's 16.Moscow became the organizing center of arms production throughout the country.In many cities there are new profession of artisans, armorers, who specialized in manufacture of new and better weapons and armor. Next to the archers and saadachnikami working now Sabelnikov, Bronnikov, kolchuzhniki, zeleyniki, cannon, and Computer program masters, and among the latter - the specialists in manufacturing gun barrels, locks and boxes. The division of labor and equipment manufacturing new weapons and implements tools to improving the quality of weapons. Thus, the smiths used horns with fur, iron anvil with a "horn" for the reflection of iron in the manufacture of objects of round shape, casters - large stone melting furnaces with openings for traction and troughs for feeding molten metal into molds.Used as weapons of Western and Eastern origin. In Russia, as in other countries, for the production of new weapons sought to attract highly skilled craftsmen from abroad. So even at 3 in Moscow Vasili worked cannon foundry in Germany, Italy and Scotland.Knives and ArmorDesyatni - lists of gentry and their servants, drawn up by periodic reviews, provide a visual representation of the Russian cavalry armed with 16. There remained the old armor, known in the prior time, but appeared as a lot.Saadak - naluchnikom bow and arrows - remained common weapons of the cavalry, describing the battle at that time, the chroniclers often use the expression, "and poletesha boom, like a rain." Bowshot served as a measure of distance between opponents - "Aki three perestrely archery." bowshot served as a measure of distance between opponents - "Aki three perestrely archery." Clouds of arrows opponents struck each other in field battles, the assault and defense of fortresses.The power of this weapon can be seen from the fact that successfully fired an arrow could pierce through the body of a soldier on the spotto kill his horse. It has increased the use of diamond-shaped iron tip, and two-horned dvushipnyh arrows - spikes prevented pull an arrow out of the body, Horn extended wound. Rate provided in a convenient location quiver of arrows at the right hand and bow in naluchnike on the left side of the rider. Horse dress - bridles, saddles, cause - was also adapted to fire the bow.Close-hand combat weapon in the XVI century. became the sword - a total of dominance and widespread speak both Russian and foreign certificates. So, all of 288 knights and nobles kolomnichey, 100 ryashan, including the "Novik", has just enlisted in the service, all of them accompanied the march armed servants served "in the sword", only a few servants were armed spears. The drawings also depict the Nikon Chronicle riders always with swords.Russian damask swords with a curved blade, a few were similar to Turkish. Despite certain differences in structure - some had crosses blades with the other balls have been some expansion of the lower part of the blade, while the other was not there - the whole swords were similar.Therefore, the conclusion that the Russian cavalry of XVI century. was "not motley motley crowd, and the army, armed by the government's request, more or less monotonous" admittedly valid.In the XVI century. continued to use the spear with a long shaft and an iron-tipped javelins - sulitsy, with a pitchfork sekirovidnymi blades, iron bludgeon in the form of weights with spikes attached to the handle chain links, long oblong dagger in its sheath. Strengthening the protective armor of warriors brought to life opposing arms - coin - or klevets as iron or copper hammer with the handle up to 60 cm: kick butt pierced with a sharp striker armor, or any other kind of armor. Shestoperov an iron handle up to 60 cm represented "a commander's baton," who drove in front of the governors in the campaign.Machetes and the infantry were poleax saber, which replaced the sword in the infantry. Berdysh was a kind of hatchet with a blade crescent, which was attached to the butt by a long, a man's height, or ratovischu flagpole. Such a device is transformed into a weapon poleax slashing and stabbing. At the lower end of the stick shaft sticking to the iron kopetso poleax the ground when firing from a gun, for which he served podsoshkom. Berdysh - domestic invention, it produced only in Russia.A characteristic feature of the XVI century armor. was the almost complete disappearance of the shields and widespread damask armor. Cavalry protected the head, "schelomy" or Russian "Shishaki" with characteristic smooth contours and high pommel, or "shishom." In the big move was the "iron hat" and much less frequent "paper cap" - on a stump or quilted cotton with metallic strips inside.Helmets should have a "headphones" and "Barmitsa" - Chain mesh that covered the forehead, cheeks and neck fighter. Among the military met and routed east.With improved techniques for making ringed armor they are more durable and lighter in comparison with those which were used in earlier centuries, Russian. Iron chain mail from round rings, and Baidaev polubaydany of the larger and flat rings without collars with cuts on his chest the soldiers wore over their heads. Shells made from a small and thin, "ploskovatyh" rings, so they were two times lighter armor.From the middle of the XVI century. there were mixed Ringed - Plate Armor - yushmany, behtertsy - woven into the ring of iron plates on the chest and back. At the same time the first mention of Mirror - they were ringed and plate-plate. To protect the iron used as knee and elbow pads or Boots.According to written sources, the most common type of armor was the armor on top of which is sometimes put, "dragged the velvet", rarely Mirror, chain and yushmany.Fighting protective armor knights and military servants were mostly tegilyai thick or thin. Tegilyay thick - quilted coat with high collar and sleeves to the elbow, sometimes from the "colored velvet" with a furry, sometimes from the canvas with metallic gaskets. Tegilyai provide enough protection - state of the skin and strong canvas, stuffed with cotton wool inside, they were so tightly sewn that their was hardly possible to shoot through.But not all riders have protective armor, and many fought just "a horse in saadake and sword."FIRE ORUZHIE.ARTILLERIYAThe huge role of fire-arms of the Russian army in XVI. in not yet been fully disclosed.Along with the improvement of foundry technique has increased the number of guns, there were talented Russian craftsmen who made the gun is now different types and purposes. If in the XV century. artillery, mainly defended the fortress walls, but now it is operated at the siege of fortresses and field battles.