Polish Winged Hussars bows

by juicysilver

Did the Polish Winged Hussars use bows? I f they did what kind of bows and arrows did they use? Also did they use winged Hussars as guards? I think I heard/read somewhere that they looked intimidating and were very good at fighting so they put some of them on guard. Thanks.

Emnel

Winged Hussars weaponry wasn't strictly regulated or provided by the state except long (up to over 6m) hollow lances hat were replaced after every charge; delivered and paid for by the country, and later - firearms that become mandatory.

Except that hussars used variety of melee and ranged weaponry: sabre, short lance, koncerz, broadsword, horseman's pick, mace, pistol, carbine and indeed bow.

They usually had from about 5 to all of those, according to personal preference, at once and used them accordingly to the situations. It's the same way as today where you don't see military pencil pushers running around telling your special forces personnel what they can and cannot use.

For example long lances were designed to fight against pikemen formations. They were hollow in the inside to make them lighter and allow for range long enough to surpass pikemen's. While short lances (up to 2m) were used against enemy horsemen.

Not sure about guard duty, you'd have to specify what you meant. Guard outside hetman's or king's tent during a campaign? Possible. Other things I can think of? Not really.