The Streltsi were originally armed with bardiches and handguns, in order that they could rest their firearm upon the crook of their polearm and thereby achieve greater accuracy. However, in an effort to get ‘one more’ shot off before the enemy closed upon them, the warriors would often run out of time to effectively stow their gun and ready their bardiche. Instead, the heavy gun was often simply reversed and used as a bludgeon. Eventually, Streltsi captains took the radical step of embracing this alternative approach and had their rotas’ rifles modified to include axeblades on the gun stock.[1]
Trivia[]
- The Gun-Axe is based on the flintlock axe-pistol, a weapon used by Polish cavalry during the 16th to 18th century. Similar weapons were used in Hungary, Sweden and Germany.
Sources[]
- 1: Total War: Warhammer III