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Why did the Russian army replace the saber with a saber
Why did the Russian army replace the saber with a saber

Video: Why did the Russian army replace the saber with a saber

Video: Why did the Russian army replace the saber with a saber
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During the Caucasian War, Russian soldiers for the first time saw the cold weapon of the mountaineers - checkers. It was used instead of traditional sabers, which the Caucasians also used earlier, but eventually ceased. And after the unification of weapons in the Russian army, sabers disappeared from use there too.

There are several hypothetical versions of why this happened. But the real reasons are quite unexpected.

1. The checker has much less weight than the saber

There is a version that the checker weighs less than the saber
There is a version that the checker weighs less than the saber
There is a difference in weight between a saber and a saber, but it is not as significant as some sources indicate
There is a difference in weight between a saber and a saber, but it is not as significant as some sources indicate

There is some truth in this statement, but the difference is insignificant. Over the years, the weight of both weapons fluctuated significantly, and its configuration also changed. In addition, it is not clear what weight is indicated in the sources: directly from the weapon or complete with a scabbard.

2. The checker has no guard

Artillery saber, model 1868
Artillery saber, model 1868

Indeed, a saber that does not have a guard is not easy to imagine, although there were such checkers, namely artillery, which existed at the end of the nineteenth century. Cossacks used checkers without a guard.

Highlanders' fencers are not very good, but they knew how to cut skillfully
Highlanders' fencers are not very good, but they knew how to cut skillfully

They do not fence with a saber, but chop, so there is no guard. This opinion is also not absolutely correct, since even a cane is suitable for fencing. But this is for the Europeans, while the Caucasians have a completely different story. Therefore, the swordsmen of them are not very good, but they knew how to cut skillfully.

From time to time, it was possible to practice fencing with a saber
From time to time, it was possible to practice fencing with a saber

And since it was also more important for the Cossacks to cut, and not to fence, they were the first to abandon sabers in favor of checkers. And the changes taking place in military affairs also contributed to this. The cavalrymen also began to chop the enemy, and the saber became indispensable for them. From time to time, it was possible to practice fencing with a saber.

3. Displacement of the center of gravity

The balancing of checkers and sabers was different
The balancing of checkers and sabers was different

This moment was actually present, since the saber had a lighter handle than a saber and the chopping effect was enhanced. But if you study all types of sabers and checkers, then their balancing was different. Sometimes checkers had a heavier handle.

What are the true reasons for the rejection of sabers

The true reasons for the rejection of sabers lay in the price, method of wearing, fastening, material for making
The true reasons for the rejection of sabers lay in the price, method of wearing, fastening, material for making

There really were reasons, only a matter of price, method of wearing, fastening, material for production.

  • Price. A slight decrease in cost due to the fact that there is no guard, a little less weight, a cheaper version of the scabbard for the country has become a significant saving.
  • Fastening. For the warriors of those times, it was also important that a saber, unlike a saber, was worn on a shoulder harness, and not on a belt.
  • Suspension. The checker was hung so that the bend was directed back. Thus, after the blade was removed from its scabbard, the hand in which the checker was located was already at the start. Even a fraction of a second saved thanks to this could save lives in battle.

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