War scythe: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Mort de Bara - Jean-Joseph Weerts.jpg|thumb|250px|Mort de Bara by Jean-Joseph Weerts, 1793]] |
[[File:Mort de Bara - Jean-Joseph Weerts.jpg|thumb|250px|Mort de Bara by Jean-Joseph Weerts, 1793]] |
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[[Image:Polish_scythemen_1863.PNG|thumb|250px|right|Scythemen during Poland's [[January Uprising|January 1863 Uprising]]]] |
[[Image:Polish_scythemen_1863.PNG|thumb|250px|right|Scythemen during Poland's [[January Uprising|January 1863 Uprising]]]] |
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A '''war scythe''' is a kind of improvised [[pole weapon]], similar to a [[fauchard]], usually created from standard [[scythe]]s.{{Citation needed|date=March 2014}} The blade of the scythe is transformed{{Citation needed|date=March 2014}} so as to extend upright from the pole, thus forming an infantry weapon practical both in offensive actions against infantry and as a defensive measure against enemy [[cavalry]]. |
A '''war scythe''' is a kind of improvised [[pole weapon]], similar to a [[fauchard]], usually created from standard [[scythe]]s.{{Citation needed|date=March 2014}} The blade of the scythe is transformed{{Citation needed|date=March 2014}} so as to extend upright from the pole, thus forming an infantry weapon more practical both in offensive actions against infantry and as a defensive measure against enemy [[cavalry]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[Image:Kosy i piki.jpg|thumb|250px|Illustration from [[Chrystian Piotr Aigner]]'s ''"Krótka nauka o kosach i pikach"'' ("A Brief Treatise on Scythes and Pikes"), 1794]] |
[[Image:Kosy i piki.jpg|thumb|250px|Illustration from [[Chrystian Piotr Aigner]]'s ''"Krótka nauka o kosach i pikach"'' ("A Brief Treatise on Scythes and Pikes"), 1794]] |
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The scythe |
The scythe and pitchfork, [[farming]] tools, have frequently been used as a weapon by those who couldn't afford or didn't have access to more expensive weapons such as pikes, swords, or later, guns. Scythes and pitchforks were stereotypically carried by angry mobs or gangs of enraged peasants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://medieval-period.com/medievalmen.html |title=Medieval Men |publisher=Medieval-Period.com |date= |accessdate=2014-02-13}}</ref> The process usually involved reforging the blade of a scythe at a 90 degree angle, strengthening the joint between the blade and the shaft with an additional metal pipe or bolts and reinforcing the shaft to better protect it against cuts from enemy blades.{{Citation needed|date=May 2014}} At times instead of scythe blade, a blade from hand-operated [[chaff cutter]] was used |
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War scythes were a popular weapon of choice and opportunity of many [[peasant revolt|peasant uprisings]] throughout history. To name just a few examples, ancient Greek historian, [[Xenophon]], describes in his work (''[[Anabasis (Xenophon)|Anabasis]]'') the [[chariot]]s of [[Artaxerxes II]], which had projecting scythes fitted. Polish peasants used war scythes during the 17th-century Swedish invasion ([[The Deluge (history)|The Deluge]]). In the 1685 [[battle of Sedgemoor]], [[James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth]], fielded a 5000 strong peasant unit armed with war scythes. They were used in the 1784 [[Transylvanian]] peasants' [[Revolt of Horea, Cloşca and Crişan]], in the [[war in the Vendée]] by royalist peasant troops, in the 1st War of Schleswig in 1848 in [[Denmark]], and again in various Polish uprisings: [[Kościuszko Uprising]] in 1794, when in [[battle of Racławice]] scythemen successfully charged and captured [[Russia|Russian]] [[artillery]]. In that year [[Chrystian Piotr Aigner]] published a [[field manual]] ''Short Treatise on Pikes and Scythes'', detailing the training and operation of scythe-equipped forces, the first and probably the only such book in the history of warfare. War scythes were later used in the [[November Uprising]] in 1831, [[January Uprising]] in 1863 and [[Silesian Uprising]] in 1921. The description of a fighting unit as |
War scythes were a popular weapon of choice and opportunity of many [[peasant revolt|peasant uprisings]] throughout history. To name just a few examples, ancient Greek historian, [[Xenophon]], describes in his work (''[[Anabasis (Xenophon)|Anabasis]]'') the [[chariot]]s of [[Artaxerxes II]], which had projecting scythes fitted. [[Jan Žižka|Jan Žižka's]] and later Hussite warriors, recruited mostly from peasantry, used modified scythes. Called originally 'kůsa -scythe' and later “sudlice,” it doubled as both stabbing and cutting weapon, developing later into the “ušatá sudlice”—[[Bohemian earspoon]], more suitable for combat—thanks to side spikes (ears), acting as end stops, it did not penetrate too deep, and so was easier to draw it from fallen foes. War scythes were widely used by [[Poland|Polish]] and [[Lithuania]]n peasants during revolts in the 18th and 19th centuries.{{citation needed|date=May 2012}} Polish peasants used war scythes during the 17th-century Swedish invasion ([[The Deluge (history)|The Deluge]]). In the 1685 [[battle of Sedgemoor]], [[James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth]], fielded a 5000 strong peasant unit armed with war scythes. They were used in the 1784 [[Transylvanian]] peasants' [[Revolt of Horea, Cloşca and Crişan]], in the [[war in the Vendée]] by royalist peasant troops, in the 1st War of Schleswig in 1848 in [[Denmark]], and again in various Polish uprisings: [[Kościuszko Uprising]] in 1794, when in [[battle of Racławice]] scythemen successfully charged and captured [[Russia|Russian]] [[artillery]]. In that year [[Chrystian Piotr Aigner]] published a [[field manual]] ''Short Treatise on Pikes and Scythes'', detailing the training and operation of scythe-equipped forces, the first and probably the only such book in the history of warfare. War scythes were later used in the [[November Uprising]] in 1831, [[January Uprising]] in 1863 and [[Silesian Uprising]] in 1921. The description of a fighting unit as “scythemen” was used in Poland as late as 1939, however the [[Gdynia]] "[[kosynierzy]]" were armed with hunting guns rather than with scythes. |
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==Specifics== |
==Specifics== |
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[[Image:Kosy1863.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Artur Grottger]], ''"Kucie kos"'' ("Forging of Scythes") during [[January Uprising]]]] |
[[Image:Kosy1863.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Artur Grottger]], ''"Kucie kos"'' ("Forging of Scythes") during [[January Uprising]]]] |
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As a [[pole weapon]], the war scythe is characterised by long range and powerful force (due to [[lever]]age): there are documented instances where a scythe cut through a metal helmet. They could be used, depending on construction and tactics, to make slashing or stabbing attacks, and with their uncommon appearance and considerable strength could have a psychological impact on an unprepared enemy. However, like most pole weapons, their disadvantages were weight (which could quickly exhaust the user) and slow speed. |
As a [[pole weapon]], the war scythe is characterised by long range and powerful force (due to [[lever]]age): there are documented instances where a scythe cut through a metal helmet. They could be used, depending on construction and tactics, to make slashing or stabbing attacks, and with their uncommon appearance and considerable strength could have a psychological impact on an unprepared enemy. However, like most pole weapons, their disadvantages were weight (which could quickly exhaust the user) and slow speed. After the [[German Peasants' War]] during 1524–1525, a fencing book edited by [[Paulus Hector Mair]] described in 1542 techniques how to fence using a scythe.<ref>{{cite book|last=Mair|first=Paul Hector|title=De arte athletica I|url=http://mdz10.bib-bvb.de/~db/bsb00006570/images/index.html?seite=411|date=c. 1542|language=German/Latin|pages=204r-208r|chapter=Sichelfechten (Sickle Fencing)|quote=Duæ incisiones supernæ falcis foe|location=Augsburg}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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[[Image:111th Escadrille Roundel.png|thumb|150px|[[Roundel]] of the [[Polish 7th Air Escadrille]], featuring crossed war scythes]] |
[[Image:111th Escadrille Roundel.png|thumb|150px|[[Roundel]] of the [[Polish 7th Air Escadrille]], featuring crossed war scythes]] |
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* [[Fauchard]] |
* [[Fauchard]] |
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* [[Kama (weapon)|Kama]] – Japanese hand scythe |
* [[Kama (weapon)|Kama]] – Japanese hand scythe, sometimes also adapted to combat |
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* [[Falx]] – A sword with an inward curved blade |
* [[Falx]] – A sword with an inward curved blade |
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* [[Rhomphaia]] – larger variant of the falx, much similar to the war scythe |
* [[Rhomphaia]] – larger variant of the falx, much similar to the war scythe |
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==References== |
==References== |
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* {{iw-ref|pl|Kosa bojowa|19 May 2006}} |
* {{iw-ref|pl|Kosa bojowa|19 May 2006}} |
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{{reflist}} |
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[[Category:Pole weapons]] |
[[Category:Pole weapons]] |
Revision as of 04:54, 26 May 2014
This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2013) |
![]() | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (December 2012) |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Mort_de_Bara_-_Jean-Joseph_Weerts.jpg/250px-Mort_de_Bara_-_Jean-Joseph_Weerts.jpg)
A war scythe is a kind of improvised pole weapon, similar to a fauchard, usually created from standard scythes.[citation needed] The blade of the scythe is transformed[citation needed] so as to extend upright from the pole, thus forming an infantry weapon more practical both in offensive actions against infantry and as a defensive measure against enemy cavalry.
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Kosy_i_piki.jpg/250px-Kosy_i_piki.jpg)
The scythe and pitchfork, farming tools, have frequently been used as a weapon by those who couldn't afford or didn't have access to more expensive weapons such as pikes, swords, or later, guns. Scythes and pitchforks were stereotypically carried by angry mobs or gangs of enraged peasants.[1] The process usually involved reforging the blade of a scythe at a 90 degree angle, strengthening the joint between the blade and the shaft with an additional metal pipe or bolts and reinforcing the shaft to better protect it against cuts from enemy blades.[citation needed] At times instead of scythe blade, a blade from hand-operated chaff cutter was used
War scythes were a popular weapon of choice and opportunity of many peasant uprisings throughout history. To name just a few examples, ancient Greek historian, Xenophon, describes in his work (Anabasis) the chariots of Artaxerxes II, which had projecting scythes fitted. Jan Žižka's and later Hussite warriors, recruited mostly from peasantry, used modified scythes. Called originally 'kůsa -scythe' and later “sudlice,” it doubled as both stabbing and cutting weapon, developing later into the “ušatá sudlice”—Bohemian earspoon, more suitable for combat—thanks to side spikes (ears), acting as end stops, it did not penetrate too deep, and so was easier to draw it from fallen foes. War scythes were widely used by Polish and Lithuanian peasants during revolts in the 18th and 19th centuries.[citation needed] Polish peasants used war scythes during the 17th-century Swedish invasion (The Deluge). In the 1685 battle of Sedgemoor, James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, fielded a 5000 strong peasant unit armed with war scythes. They were used in the 1784 Transylvanian peasants' Revolt of Horea, Cloşca and Crişan, in the war in the Vendée by royalist peasant troops, in the 1st War of Schleswig in 1848 in Denmark, and again in various Polish uprisings: Kościuszko Uprising in 1794, when in battle of Racławice scythemen successfully charged and captured Russian artillery. In that year Chrystian Piotr Aigner published a field manual Short Treatise on Pikes and Scythes, detailing the training and operation of scythe-equipped forces, the first and probably the only such book in the history of warfare. War scythes were later used in the November Uprising in 1831, January Uprising in 1863 and Silesian Uprising in 1921. The description of a fighting unit as “scythemen” was used in Poland as late as 1939, however the Gdynia "kosynierzy" were armed with hunting guns rather than with scythes.
Specifics
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Kosy1863.jpg/250px-Kosy1863.jpg)
As a pole weapon, the war scythe is characterised by long range and powerful force (due to leverage): there are documented instances where a scythe cut through a metal helmet. They could be used, depending on construction and tactics, to make slashing or stabbing attacks, and with their uncommon appearance and considerable strength could have a psychological impact on an unprepared enemy. However, like most pole weapons, their disadvantages were weight (which could quickly exhaust the user) and slow speed. After the German Peasants' War during 1524–1525, a fencing book edited by Paulus Hector Mair described in 1542 techniques how to fence using a scythe.[2]
See also
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/111th_Escadrille_Roundel.png/150px-111th_Escadrille_Roundel.png)
- Fauchard
- Kama – Japanese hand scythe, sometimes also adapted to combat
- Falx – A sword with an inward curved blade
- Rhomphaia – larger variant of the falx, much similar to the war scythe
References
- ^ "Medieval Men". Medieval-Period.com. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
- ^ Mair, Paul Hector (c. 1542). "Sichelfechten (Sickle Fencing)". De arte athletica I (in German/Latin). Augsburg. pp. 204r–208r.
Duæ incisiones supernæ falcis foe
{{cite book}}
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