Instead, some of them used a straight, one wing attachment on the saddle’s bow into which the eagles or the vulture’s feathers were inserted. Unfortunately, the hussars never used the characteristic double wings attached to the armor. The whole kit was able to weigh anywhere from 14-15 kg (up to 33 pounds) still less than the equipment of a modern soldier on the battlefield. The armor was complemented by a helmet with a moving nose shield and a cushion protecting the forearms. Animal leathers (leopard’s or tiger’s) were also used, which were not only menacing and prideful, but also able to effectively protect the warrior from back cuts. Initially, the backplates were used as back protection, but in the later period of the Hussars’ existence, they were abandoned and changed to leather belts dragged on their backs. Each of such breastplates had to pass a so-called “fire test” – before the first use it had to withstand a close shot from the gun. The hussar’s torso was protected by a breastplate typically 3-4 mm thick on the front and up to 1 mm thick on the sides. Today, the hussar saber is considered to be a world-class achievement which Wojciech Zabłocki (Polish fencer, world champion and Olympic medalist) has dubbed “the best fighting sword in human history”. When there was a need for fencing, they used a Hussar saber. This sword was generally good at eliminating armored adversaries giving the hussars a total advantage over the enemy. After crushing the lance, the riders reached for the long sword called “koncerz” that was not used for fencing, but instead for pushing opponents. The size of the hussar’s lance gave the rider the advantage of coverage over the pikemen, who would use the 3-meter pikes enabling the Poles to reach them first. A long weapon, reaching anywhere from 5 to 7 meters in legnth, was an incredibly destructive and effective weapon used for charges – a Lithuanian Hussar once killed six musketeers in one thrust. The most dangerous weapon of the Hussar was undoubtedly his lance. Lets take a precise look at what it is that made the winged hussars such legendary warrios. They were unique not just for their abilities, high morale and killer weapons, but also because of how frightening, proud and beautiful they looked on the field of battle.

Total war winged hussars