Spear cut – structural element of long pole weapons of the nations of the great steppe and neighbouring territories dated to the late middle ages and early modern age

The article is dedicated to a peculiar structural element of long pole weapons of warriors from the Great Steppe and from neighbouring territories. The element is known under the name of a spear cut. Complex analysis of archaeological, graphic and written records helped the author to conclude that the spear cut was a kind of prolonged and externally edged iron plate that was fastened in conjunction with the pole. It was used to strengthen a wooden pole, and it prevented enemy from stopping the attack by grasping the pole with a hand. Besides, the spear cut played the role of a cutting weapon: it was used to attack body and limbs of enemies and their spears, too. Thus, the spear cut refers to the number of combined weapons. Pikes with cuts were used by Oiratic, Mongolian, Kazakh, Kirghiz, Uighur and Qing warriors as well as Russian Kazakhs. They were widely-used in the 18 th and early 19 th centuries as cavalry spear battles were very popular at that time and armature gradually fell out of wide use. The nomads of Central Asia continued to use the weapon even in the second half of the XIX century. In the manufacture of such weapons went a lot of iron. In the Great Steppe was iron deficiency. Therefore, the weapons cost a lot. Buy it could only rich nomads. The effective application of copies of the spear cut a certain amount of experience and training. These factors limit the distribution of copies of the spear cut among the nomads of Central Asia.