Khazakh small pole-axes aibaltashyk of the middle age and the early modern age

The article focuses on Kazakh small axes “aibaltashyk” stored in museums and private collections in Russia and Kazakhstan. This type of offensive weapon used for crushing and cutting boasts a crescent moon shape blade less than 10 cm wide. Due to such a curved C-shaped blade, the axe could not only crush but also cut, which was a particular risk for light-armed enemies. The comprehensive analysis of the sources available allowed us to expose the constructive features, ways of decorating and combat employment of small axes “aibaltashyk ”. It is discovered that the popularity of “aibalta” axes and their miniature counterparts “aibaltashyk ” increased dramatically in the second half of XVIII - XIX centuries due to exclusion of metal plate armor from widespread military usage among the nomads of Central Asia.