Russian Bardiche, 17th Century

A 17th century Russian Bardiche polearm, carried by Russia's Streltsy, the semi-professional musketeer corps established under Ivan IV in the 1550s.

The bardiche's long, sweeping axe blade served a dual purpose: a close-combat weapon and a functional rest for steadying heavy matchlock and flintlock muskets during volley fire. The bardiche remained a fixture of Russian infantry through the 17th century, only fading from service as Peter the Great's military reforms modernised the army along Western European lines in the early 1700s.

A desirable piece of Muscovite history. A very similar example is part of the Met Museum's collection: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/32747