A COSSACK HETMANS MACE, BULAVA, C.1650-1700

Among Cossacks, the hetman was the military commander. The title was used from the end of the 16th to the mid 18th centuries by the Ukrainian Cossacks. The hetmans mace, know by the Russian term, bulava, was a hand to hand mounted fighting weapon, verified by the obvious signs of use on this example. Its shorter length enhanced the agility essential for Eastern European equine warfare while retaining the ability to deliver a blow, capable of devastating the lighter armor. Length: 19 1/4