A very special 'tulwar'

Victrix · 29th June 2018, 10:28 PM

There are estocs in different shapes, and the hilts in particular tended to be adapted to suit local customs as Jim mentioned above. The function to penetrate chainmail remained the same. But chainmail ceased to be used in Europe in the 16thC (?) due to the advent of the firearm so estocs became redundant there. Except in Eastern Europe (Hungary, Poland,...) the use of estocs continued because their adversaries the Ottomans continued to use chainmail because in their part of the world the bow and arrow continued to be in use.

The kismeta.com page linked to by Midelburgo included this: ”Polish cavalry sometimes used it like a short pike - putting the hilt between arm and chest and holding the blade a third of the way down.” Indian cavalry might have done the same. So the round twisted area between the hilt and the blade proper on the thrusting tulwar might be designed to steady the blade as much as possible on impact to enhance its penetrating capability.

29th June 2018, 10:28 PM	#36
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 755	There are estocs in different shapes, and the hilts in particular tended to be adapted to suit local customs as Jim mentioned above. The function to penetrate chainmail remained the same. But chainmail ceased to be used in Europe in the 16thC (?) due to the advent of the firearm so estocs became redundant there. Except in Eastern Europe (Hungary, Poland,...) the use of estocs continued because their adversaries the Ottomans continued to use chainmail because in their part of the world the bow and arrow continued to be in use. The kismeta.com page linked to by Midelburgo included this: ”Polish cavalry sometimes used it like a short pike - putting the hilt between arm and chest and holding the blade a third of the way down.” Indian cavalry might have done the same. So the round twisted area between the hilt and the blade proper on the thrusting tulwar might be designed to steady the blade as much as possible on impact to enhance its penetrating capability.