Real Cossack drafts (photo)

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:45

Willingness to defend the Fatherland, stand in the way of the enemy - that's a sign of masculinity. The combat checker is just that symbol of the Cossack love of freedom, devotion to Russia and his family.

History of occurrence

The first documentary mention of the combat checker appeared at the turn of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. This edged weapon got its name from the Kabardian-Circassian word "sash-ho" (long knife).

Historians are sure that people invented such long-blade cutting and piercing equipment much earlier. Archaeologists came across details of this type of weapon, which belong to the twelfth century. The most popular initially were Cossack checkers of the Circassian type. Later, the Don Cossacks created their own distinctive type of weapon and began to wear it constantly.

Triumphant Spread

The nineteenth century brought changes in the position of edged weapons. Officially, Cossack checkers were put into service in the Russian army. According to the charter, each soldier of the cavalry regiment had such a military weapon as a mandatory set. Policemen and gendarmes, by statutory order, were also obliged to wear checkers.

Cossack checkercombat was used in cavalry until the middle of the twentieth century. But the twenty-first century has not abandoned the veneration of this symbol of masculinity. Until today, the dress uniform of the Cossacks is unthinkable without the attribute of military pride.

Distinctive features of the Cossack drafts

The saber and the Cossack saber are very similar to each other. A distinctive feature of checkers is a wooden scabbard covered with leather, with one or two rings for harness belts on the convex side. This weapon was worn on a shoulder harness with the blade backwards. The saber was worn on the belt, blade forward.

Caucasian drafts had a double-edged slightly curved blade with a fighting end and a handle with a bifurcated head. Such a hilt is considered a distinctive feature of checkers. Russian Cossack sabers differed from the Caucasian ones in their scabbard and hilt. The first army samples looked more like sabers and were slightly more curved.

Varieties of weapons

1881. Lieutenant General A. P. Gorlov carries out the unification of edged weapons for all branches of the armed forces. The model for the army blade was the Caucasian "top", which proved itself when cutting. As a result of the reform, two types of drafts appeared: dragoon and Cossack. Each type had varieties for soldiers and officers. For gunners, a shortened dragoon saber was offered. Finally, the Cossack drafts as the hallmarks of the lower ranks of the Cossack armaments were regulated in 1904.

There are not so many differences between the 1881 and 1904 models. The earlier model is 6 millimeters longer(respectively 966 and 960 mm), the length of the blade is 20 mm longer (825 and 795), the width of the blade, on the contrary, is 3 mm less (32 and 35). The total weight of the product remained unchanged - no more than 1.2 kilograms.

Cossack traditions

Mastering the skill of handling military weapons took time and perseverance. The boys trained from an early age, trying to repeat the skills of their fathers and older brothers. At first, sticks of similar size were used. From the age of ten they were given children's models of blades. Real Cossack teenagers could get their hands on checkers at the age of sixteen or seventeen. Such a checker was bought, made to order or inherited from his grandfather.

Methods of mastery training became more complicated from practice to practice. For this, improvised means were used. First it was necessary to learn how to cut a stream of water without splashing. Then it was allowed to cut the vine, heads of cabbage. The training was carried out gradually moving from hitting stationary targets to cutting targets at full gallop.

A young Cossack in his life dreamed of having three checkers. The first - combat - he received, going to the service. Then he sought to get an officer's saber. And the ultimate dream was a personal checker, which was a symbol of merit to the Motherland and recognition of their society.

There are often cases of creating "spell" checkers. They brought good luck, victory in all life's troubles. The Cossacks firmly believed this. These checkers have been passed down from generation to generation. If there was no one to hand over, then the weapons were broken over the coffin of the deceasedlast member of the genus.

Reward checkers

It became a tradition in Russia in the 18th century to reward military merit with weapons. Award weapons were divided into two types: edged weapons for generals and officers and for the Cossacks. They decorated such weapons with gold or diamonds, complementing the image with an engraved inscription. For the inscription, a place was allocated on the hilt. Most common expression: "For bravery."

Before the First World War, golden weapons were canceled, equating it to the Order of St. George. The decorated Cossack saber began to be called St. George's weapon. The photo with the award received became a family heirloom. In addition to the St. George weapons, they were awarded with Anninsky checkers. They were dedicated to Saint Anna, daughter of Peter the Great, and were considered lower in the rating.

Symbols and meanings

An unusual weapon - a Cossack saber. It symbolizes fearlessness and strength, valor and fortitude. Firearms could not displace the pride of the Cossack freemen.

Caught up in a seemingly hopeless situation, the Cossack hoped for his strength and ingenuity. Meeting with the enemy face to face, made it possible to use real military weapons. With one finger, get a true friend out of the sheath and decide the outcome of the battle with one blow. A real Cossack was sure that with a saber, all the strength of his family, of the entire Russian Land, would come to his aid.

The checker demanded close attention and respect from its owner. Care and cleaning of weapons were required. The Cossacks were allowed to attend the service in the church along with their inalienable friend. It was even allowed to take the blade out of its scabbard a little so that the weapon was cleaned along with the owner.

How to choose the right checker

In today's Russia, interest in the history of one's family is increasing. Traditions are being revived. The descendants of the Cossacks want to have their own combat checker. If earlier it had to be earned, now you can buy it. You just need to take this matter seriously and choose a weapon for yourself.

The checker should fit the person in size and weight. Sit in your hand like a glove. To withstand the blow of the enemy and strike back. The presented samples of Cossack checkers need to be held in your hand, to hear the response. Check for mutual attraction. The gunsmith will adjust the selected model to the future owner of the item. Additionally, it is possible to age the blade and handle. Carry out engraving in full accordance with the desired original.

It's important to understand: guns are not toys. It should only be used for good purposes.