How much does the earth, so much time and place of war, civil strife, conflicts between different people.If in our time trying to solve any problem peacefully, through negotiations, many centuries ago, the main way to resolve the conflict served as a fight.The participants tried fully equipped to make the most of hitting an opponent.One of the most interesting and historically important weapon is the mace.The word comes from the "Bula" - the nodule, lump, knob.This interesting subject of defense and attack, we'll talk today.
little history
Mace - cold steel, features of which are a short shaft and pommel stone.This shock-fragmenting device, which has a long and glorious history.The ancient peoples of North and South America, Australia, Asia, Europe and Africa for centuries widely used these weapons.During the First World War battlefields to be found mace as a primary means of fighting the enemy.
In Russia, ancient weapons Mace appeared in the 11th century.The historians believe that she "came" to the South-East.In ancient times it was believed that the ancient mace weapon - not combat, but rather an honorary attribute.They necessarily equipped infantry and cavalry troops.Weapons made of steel, iron, and not only the "head" and the handle.Complement the original design of spikes, increasing the effectiveness of weapons.
ideal settings
ancestress of clubs can be regarded as an ordinary club.It was she who was the main weapon of the peasants and the main - if all conflicts are simple farmers tried to prove its case by a simple device.But it has such stunning effect that gradually became "popularized" Marines.The excavations of archaeologists demonstrate how mace being modified over time.Initially head of arms was round and smooth, but it gradually becomes more complicated and the rectangular, the supplied spikes and edges over the entire area.Weight weapons ranges from 500 grams to two kilograms or more.Arm length is about 60 cm - the setting is "standard."For convenience, it was attached to a leather strap, and some items were supplemented with a dagger.
other words
Mace - Weapon unique.It has a lot of modifications, made possible by the widespread dissemination.In the East mace called "buzdyhan" or "buzdygan" it was rounded pommel.In Europe, the weapon called the "sword" and had an elongated, pear-shaped or bruskoobraznuyu form.In the West, traditional clubs supplied spikes and ribs, and called them "Shestoperov" or "mace".The first version of the blunt weapon the Germans called "the morning star", because just one hit uncomplicated weapon could pierce armor and combat very strong opponent.The device, equipped with sharp feathers, also called "fist mace."
is a distant relative of mace mace or "trench stick," as it became known during the Second World War.In India and Persia weapon complement closed hilt, which is the main difference of all weapons of those countries.Mace - Weapon Cossacks, they called it "Naseka."Only the emergence and spread of guns pushed the club and her sisters into the background, and then did "survive" them from the battlefields.
weapons
Advantages The main advantage of the mace is its incredible ease and speed of manufacture.Materials are not worth a lot of money, which makes the weapons available to many soldiers.Especially loved the mace on the battlefields for the excellent amazing properties - it is able to part even with a fully equipped enemy in iron armor.For this she received an unusually widespread.Mace - Weapon rich and poor.
simple peasants mace made of wood, iron, its shape was simple and uncomplicated.Who was richer, fought with the weapons of copper, the handle of which for convenience was covered with a cloth, decorated with monograms and distinctive signs.Over time, the mace was becoming more sophisticated.Changed its appearance and purpose, which eventually became more "peaceful".
iconic symbol
Mace is a favorite of our medieval descendants that gradually shifted to the status symbol of power and dignity.French gatekeepers churches, houses of the rich and royal apartments proudly were holding a mace, emphasizing their importance.Now it is made of brass, gilded, decorated with stones and intricate form attached.In many Western countries, the nobles tried not to appear in public without outdo ornate mace, and captains, and the officers had no right not to wear it all the time.Guardsmen tiny "state within a state" in the Vatican parade still adorn themselves with historical weapons.
Mace 21st century
Russia has always been one of the strongest powers in the world, and this fact it consistently proves its numerous discoveries and developments.It is no secret that the military equipment of the state is not inferior to the other.The pride of the domestic producers are ballistic missiles.The best-known recent Russian weapons - "Bulava".This intercontinental ballistic missile to which the developers put a lot of responsibility for the integrity of the borders of the motherland.She is a three-stage solid-propellant, is provided for based on the sea.Nuclear submarines are equipped with the latest generation of this modern weapon with him "works" well-known complex "Topol-M".The most notable recent weapon - a missile "Bulava".Designers have tried to unify the land and sea missiles for solid fuels.
"Mace" - Weapon true patriots
its birth is obliged to weapons design engineers Moscow Institute of Thermal, who in 1988 started the implementation of a responsible job.It's completely Russian design: designers are proud of their brainchild and loudly discuss the controversial military weapon - a missile "Bulava".
ballistic missile tests began in 2004, and despite a series of setbacks and failures, it was a good "helper" submarine "Yury Dolgoruky".Today, the fate of the "Bulava" is not fully determined, but developers continue to modify and improve the design.
Characteristics weapons
ignorant person is difficult to sort out the numbers and acronyms, but some indicators captured the imagination of ordinary Russian.Thus, the range of the missiles - 8 thousand kilometers!Launching mass of weapons is more than 36 tons.Nuclear units, which are equipped with "Bulava" can individually change the trajectory of its flight.They can be from 6 to 10 pieces, which makes almost invincible weapon.
inclined launch missiles can afford to run it from the "on the go", which makes "Bulava" versatile and easy to manage and launch.Without going into the characteristics of weapons, it is clear that it is - one of the large-scale projects that will strengthen the borders of the state and equip the military with the latest technology.It is a powerful weapon - a missile "Bulava" - large-scale project of the last decade, which is still in the finalization, but promises to be spectacular.
behind not one start
first test launch of a ballistic missile was effected on September 23, 2004 with the submarine "Dmitry Donskoy" in Severodvinsk.This event marked the beginning of a series of tests of finished products.It became clear that the weapons "Bulava" can be placed on submarines.After almost a year in Kamchatka has been made of the second missile launch, during which the warheads successfully hit the desired target at designated test site.A month later, "Bulava" again showed their best side, coped with military tasks.
Within two years, all subsequent ballistic missile test were not so successful: Russian weapons - missile "Bulava" - something completely deviated from the planned course, suddenly self-destructed, not all combat missile head reaches the desired goal.Later it was decided to change not only the plant, which produces a powerful weapon, but also the composition of designers and developers.
Perhaps the problem with the launch of the rocket can be explained there that weapons intended for the "work" of the sea, designed by experts land projects.Subsequently, "Bulava" began to let the company "Moscow Machine-Building Plant" Vympel ".
under scrutiny
Interestingly, during the entire production process of a ballistic missile "Bulava" the progress monitored by observers from the United States.Under the Treaty on Strategic Offensive Arms, since 1988 up to December 5, 2009 American colleagues continuously producing a visual inspection on the territory of the factory floor.On the screen, foreign observers have seen weapons at the output of the factory in Votkinsk, a special program of defined dimensions and certain technical characteristics of weapons.At the plant, American officials held regular tour to detect and suppress violations of transport "Bulava".The cars, which could theoretically be exported ballistic missile carefully checked observers from America.This fact seems to suggest that despite some obstacles in the form of failed start-ups, "Bulava" - a formidable weapon, and promising.
echo stories
noteworthy that the weapon with a long history and modern developments in the field of missile defense and have the same name.Mace - Weapon heroes not only to the Middle Ages, but the men of our day.Developers knowingly named his creation that way, because they have tried to give a modern ballistic missile big name and provide it with special force.
Mace past centuries and today - two completely different weapons both in appearance and functional purpose.Hopefully, the sonorous name will be one of the keys to the success of the team of designers, developers and testers.Despite a number of problems with the tests, we believe that the main weapon of Russia - "Bulava".
Now that you know almost everything about the formidable ballistic ammunition.We presented the story of the birth, the important characteristics of the missile "Bulava" picture.The weapon is not yet completely put into service, but it has some merit.On the "Bulava" the military have high expectations, so the work on the project does not stop loud.
