all polearms; rarely did it exceed 5 feet (1.5 m) in length. It relied more on the weight of its heavy blade to do the damage than a swing from a long pole. This makes the bardiche more similar to the Danish axe, in some respects, than to a true polearm. Use In Muscovy, Lithuania, Ruthenia and Poland this weapon was used to rest handguns upon when firing. It was standard equipment for the Muscovian streltsy (literally "shooters") corps (foot, mounted and dragoons) and also for the Polish infantry (a shorter version invented by King John III Sobieski). See also Lochaber axe References External links The Pitt Rivers Berdiche (catalogue reference 1884.21.53) Renaissance-era polearms Medieval polearms sv:Stridsyxa