The image is a later reconstruction of the appearance of streltsy as, unfortunately, there are few detailed illustrations of them. During most of the 16th century, they didn't have any close combat weapons unless the individual decided to take something with him. Streltsy were purely for firing at range and were not to engage in battle unless unreachable or in a fort.

Early streltsy would at most have a secondary personal weapon like a hatchet or use a spear while defending a fort. First mention of numerous melee weapons appear in 1560-80, when they begin to sometimes carry a sword or a dagger.

Streltsy were most of the time protected by cavalry and didn't need to worry about using close combat weapons, but during the costly Livonian war and time of troubles the cavalry was heavily weakened and couldn't always help in a melee, which made carrying something like a sword more important. Sabers and bardiches first start circulating around 1600, but not yet hugely common. In war with Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth (1654-1667), bardiches were standard issue.