Bardiche
Specifications
- Type
- Polearm / Long Axe
- Origin
- Eastern Europe / Russia
- Era
- 14th–17th century
- Notable Users
- Muscovite streltsy, Scandinavian infantry, Eastern European soldiers
- Epoch
- Middle Ages
History
The bardiche is a long poleaxe distinguished by its wide, cleaver-like blade attached to the shaft at two points. Common across Eastern Europe and Russia, it was the signature weapon of the streltsy — the Muscovite musketeers who served as Russia’s first standing army. Streltsy used the bardiche both as a melee weapon and as a rest for their heavy matchlock muskets, bracing the barrel on the blade’s flat edge for steadier aim. The broad blade could deliver chopping blows heavy enough to crumple plate armor.
Significance
Where Western European polearms emphasized the thrusting point, the bardiche went the other direction: a huge cutting surface that could chop through anything. The fact that streltsy also used it as a musket rest tells you something about the practical ingenuity of soldiers making do during the gunpowder transition.
More from the Middle Ages
18 weapons
54 Weapons. Five Epochs. One Poster.
The Bardiche is one of 19 weapons from the Middle Ages featured on the poster.
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