A flail is a contact flexible-jointed cold weapon of impact-crushing action. It is an impact weight (bone, metal or stone striking head) connected by a flexible suspension (chain, belt or strong rope) with a handle (mainly wooden) — a haft. Due to their cheapness and effectiveness, flails were widely used in the 10th–17th centuries in Eurasia as infantry and cavalry weapons. Later they were used on a limited scale.

The flail presented in the museum’s collection is an iron conical sleeve for attaching a flail handle, with a ring at the end, to which a three-part 8-shaped chain with a star-shaped ball at the end is secured.

The Russian name of the weapon “kisten”, according to one version, came from the word “kist” (wrist). A wrist was the place where the loop was put during the battle. According to another version, the word “kisten” has Turkic roots and literally means “club.”

Flails were often made of cheap materials (wood, bone), which made them widely available. It is not surprising that in popular culture the flail is often perceived as a weapon of robbers. From the Great Russian Encyclopedia,

The flail presented in the museum’s collection is made of metal and was probably the weapon of a mounted Cossack, a Siberian serviceman. Using the flail in battle, thanks to the flexible connection of the load and the haft, it was possible to bypass the shield and reach the target when striking. However, there is also a disadvantage — it was impossible to block enemy strikes with this weapon. Accordingly, its use by infantry is not very convenient, but the flail fits much better for riders who strike from the saddle. Of course, foot soldiers could also use flails, but as an auxiliary weapon, to get the enemy behind the shield.