Polish Hussar Supply Plus
See Eastern archery
and accessories on
the Archery Page
Postoly Shoes
Worn by Kozak irregular foot soldiers, contact me for
prices
Polish, Lithuanian and Ukrainian
Infantry of the 17th century
Ukrainian, Ruthenian and
Zaporozhian Cossack









I
n the 16th and 17th century the Ukrainian provinces
were a part of the Polish and Lithuanian Commonwealth.  
Then it was know as Ruthenia and thier Orthodox Slavic
population were called Rushyn, meanwhile the Russian
people to the east were called the Moscovites.
In this time Ruthenian nobility dressed similarly to their
Polish and Lithuanian neighbors.  The Hungarians, Turks
and Tartars also influenced dress and military fashion,
arms and armor.
The Zaporozhian Cossacks of the Wild Plains lived
along the lower Dnieper River in the 16th and 17th
century.
A military brotherhood formed from run away serfs and
adventures from Ruthenia, Russia, Poland and the
Tartaria as well as other neighboring lands.
Their unique arms, armor and manner of dress were
influenced by their neighboring allies and foes.
The Steppes of the 'Wild Plains' was under the rule of the
Polish kings and the Zaporozhians were hired to protect
the south-eastern borderlands of the Commonwealth
from ever raiding Tartar horsemen.   
At this time most of the Cossack were famous for their
skill as infantrymen and as Black Sea pirates.   Cossacks,
registered with the Polish crown were partially paid in
cloth for uniforms, blue being the favorite color.  Their
dress was similar to that of Polish and Hungarian
infantry.  Later, as the Zaporozhians rebelled against the
Polish nobility and tens of thousands of Ruthenian
peasants joined their ranks of they and wore what ever
they had or could take along the way.  As they conquered
towns and cities in the Ukraine they picked up a wide
variety of Polish clothing and fine horses.
At this time the Moscovite state also supplied the
rebelious Cossacks with arms as they allied against the
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
If you'd like us to help you develope a Zaporozhian
Cossack kit you can choose from a:
Registered Cossack in Polish service armed with a
musket (we don't carry muskets), axe or berdish and
saber, dressed in a blue zupon, fur kolpak and black
boots.
Light cavalryman or officer's kit with short lance, saber,
pistols, war hammers, kalkan shield and Eastern archery
equipment, etc.   
Pancerni Cossack cavalryman, like the light cavalry but
with a coat of chain mail over the zupon and a misiurka
helmet.  Boots can be black, brown, red or yellow.
Peasant rebels from the Western Ukraine wearing a
wide variety of local and captured arms and clothing.
Dress can vary from barefoot to red or black boots,
baggy shovary pants, off white muslin shirts.   These
warriors were armed with clubs, farm implements, chekan
axes and pikes.  
Hair styles amoung the Cossacks were very exotic,
shaved heads with long scalp locks combed forward.
Hair cuts were influenced by the Tartars from the
Steppes.This you'll have to do your self if you dare!!!

Let us know how we can help you develope a distincted
Cossack kit.  
phsupply@verizon.net
A Cossack infantryman carries a
berdish axe used primarily as a
musket rest and a defensive
weapon.
Below, Berdishes $77.00
Ukrainian men's shirts  
$55.00
If you are a wealth Kozak officer take a look at these  Ordynka
Sabers, hand made in Poland $549.00 delieverd
Kozak style boots
from the Ukraine
Leather and quite comfortable,
comes in red, black, gold, brown
$170.00 with out a heel
$180.00 with heel
Add $15.00 for custom orders.
These are delievered prices