# Koncerz
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> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Koncerz.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koncerz
> Source revision: 1273441122
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
{{Short description|Melee weapon}}
{{More references|date=July 2011}}
thumb|A koncerz with a conventional cutting edge
A '''koncerz''' ({{IPA|pl|ˈkɔn.t͡sɛʂ}}) is a type of [sword](/source/sword) used by [Polish-Lithuanian](/source/Polish%E2%80%93Lithuanian_Commonwealth) [cavalry](/source/cavalry) in the [Renaissance](/source/Renaissance) period. It is a narrow and long thrusting sword, generally used by a type of heavy [cavalry](/source/cavalry) ([husaria](/source/husaria), the famed Polish hussars) and optimized to defeat [body armor](/source/body_armor), either by piercing directly through the metal links of [mail armour](/source/mail_armour) or by thrusting at the exposed gaps between the plates of [plate armour](/source/plate_armour), but was not used to cut or slash at enemy combatants.[{{Cite book|last=Adam Zamoyski|url=http://archive.org/details/polishwaythousan00zamo|title=The Polish way|date=2003|publisher=Hippocrene Books|others=Internet Archive|isbn=978-0-7818-0200-0}}]
The koncerz originated from a medieval sword and appeared at the end of the 15th century when it was about {{convert|1.3|m|in}} long, and relatively unwieldy compared to single-handed thrusting swords designed for use by infantry. By the late 16th century, it had increased to {{convert|1.6|m|in}} in overall length, with a {{convert|1.4|m|in}} blade length, and optimized for weight distribution and balance. The koncerz was used more like a [lance](/source/lance) while mounted on horseback; it provided the rider with a very long reach in a relatively compact and portable format that was suitable to carry as a [sidearm](/source/Sidearm_(weapon)) (the primary weapon of hussars was a ''[kopia](/source/Lance_fournie)'', a very long lance).