Page 134 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

132 OTTOMAN ARMOR ◀ ÇIÇAK Made with a one-piece skull,

WDER 1500–1680 AND WEAPONS Origin Turkey and ear protection. The skull,
this helmet also had face, neck,
Date 16th century
earpieces, and peak still
Material Iron, textiles
retain the quilted red fabric
At its height, during the 16th century, the Ottoman
lining. The central band and
neck guard are engraved with
Empire extended from modern-day Algeria in the west to the
Koranic text.
Caspian Sea in the east, pushing north into Central Europe.
The Janissaries, a well-paid and well-equipped infantry
corps, were credited with the empire’s success. They were
primarily archers, who later fought with guns and their
AND GUNPO characteristic swords (yatagans). The cavalry was divided neck guard
into two groups: the akinji, the lightly armored archers
whose primary roles were reconnaissance and harrying
of the enemy; and the sipahis, the heavy cavalry, who
wore mail and plate and rode armored horses,
fighting with bows, lances, maces, and axes.
Concave

Adjustable
Kite-shaped cheekpiece
nose guard
arabesque pattern
pierced for hearing
PIKES Ivory hilt inlaid with ▶ ZIRH GOMLEK Turkish mail coats were made
◀ KHANJAR
of alternate rows of welded
Date Late 15th century
Date c.1520
and riveted links, with
Origin Turkey Origin Turkey inserted overlapping plates.
Weight 13 ⁄4oz (376g) Material Ferrous metal, Also called jawshan, they
1
Length 15 ⁄4in (39cm) copper alloy, leather were a part of the armor
1
worn by the heavy cavalry,
The sturdy cross section of the the sipahis. Some coats
blade is designed for piercing Converted had religious inscriptions
mail. An area of unsharpened Persian helmet stamped on each link.
blade below the quillons allowed
the soldier to grip closer to the
quillons for greater control.
Kalkan

Composite
bow

Plates

Mail and
plate shaffron

▶ SIPAHI ARMOR
Date Early 16th century
Origin Turkey
Material Ferrous metal,
copper alloy, leather, textile
This display of a soldier (sipahi)
carries a kalkan, bow case,
quiver, and an early straight-
bladed sword. The medieval
Persian helmet was modified
in Turkey to include a peak,
a nasal bar, and earpieces. Mail and
plate bard