European staff weapons
Steel armor evolved throughout the sixteenth century as a practical defense against most handheld weapons, including swords designed for cutting or thrusting and percussive weapons such as maces, war hammers, and axes. (1- Italian mace ca. 1550–1600; 2- Glaive of Emperor Rudolf II (reigned 1576–1612); 3- Russian bardiche 17th century; 4- Italian halberd, 1500-1525).
