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List of premodern combat weapons

(Redirected from List of ancient weapons)

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Further information: Types of swords and Classification of swords

This is a list of historical pre-modern weapons grouped according to their uses, with rough classes set aside for very similar weapons. Some weapons may fit more than one category (e.g. the spear may be used either as a polearm or as a projectile), and the earliest gunpowder weapons which fit within the period are also included.

Offensive weapons edit

Melee weapons edit

Main article: Melee weapon

Hand or fist weapons and fans edit

Single-handed weapons not resembling a straight dagger blade, usually wielded without wrist action; often protects the forearm.

Edged and bladed weapons edit

Main article: Edged and bladed weapons

Thrusting and cutting weapons for melee combat. Col. D.H. Gordon's classification has been used where applicable.[2][3]

Swords edit

Main article: Sword
Further information: Types of swords

Long swords were classified by Gordon as longer than 28 inches/71 cm.[2]

Curved one-handed swords edit
Straight one-handed swords edit
Curved two-handed swords edit
Hand-and-a-half and two-handed greatswords edit
Shortswords edit

Delineated as 20-28 inches/51–71 cm total length.[2]

Curved shortswords

Straight shortswords

Axe-like swords edit

Generally, convex blades used for heavy chopping or slashing.

Other swords edit

Fighting knives and daggers edit

Main articles: Fighting knife and Knife
Further information: List of daggers
Sickles and sickle like knives edit

Generally short, concave blades used for heavy cutting.

  • Arit (Maduresian, Indonesian)
  • Karambit, kerambit, korambit (Minangkabauian, Indonesian)
  • Kujang (Sundanese, Indonesian)
  • Kukri (Indian)
  • Mandau (Malaysian, Indonesian, Bornean, Bruneian)
  • Pichangatti[1] (Indian)
  • Punyal (Philippinese, Southeast Asian)
  • Sickle (Improvised, worldwide)
  • Sudanese sickle knife[1] (African)

Picks and pickaxes edit

Axes edit

Main article: Axe

Truncheons and blunt weapons edit

Main article: Club (weapon)

Usually wielded with one or two hands at close quarters with striking motions, although some sharp-pointed truncheons like the sai were more often used for stabbing.

Polearms and spears edit

Main articles: Polearm and Spear

Wielded mainly with two hands. Primarily for melee with sweeping, thrusting, and or hooking motions.

Blunt staves edit

Main article: stick fighting

Spears edit

Main article: Spear
Further information: List of types of spears § Spears which are usually used in melee combat

Throwing spears are listed under ranged weapons.

Polearms with axe-like blades edit

Polearms with spikes and hammers edit

Ranged weapons edit

Main article: Ranged weapon

Thrown edit

Throwing blades and darts edit

Throwing spears edit

Further information: List of types of spears § Spears which are usually thrown

All could be used as spears, but were designed and primarily used for throwing.

Throwing axes edit

Could also be used as axe weapons, but were specifically designed for throwing.

Throwing balls edit

  • Bolas, ayllo, liwi, qilumitautit (Central American, South American, Arctic)
  • Slungshot not to be confused with a slingshot (Improvised, Worldwide)
  • Stone, rock (Improvised, Worldwide)

Throwing sticks edit

  • Boomerang (Australian, Worldwide)
  • Knobkierrie, knopkierie, knobkerry, also a blunt weapon (African)
  • Rungu (East African)
  • Stick, branch (Improvised, Worldwide)

Gunpowder weapons edit

 
An illustration of an "eruptor", a proto cannon from the 14th century Ming Dynasty book Huolongjing. The cannon was capable of firing proto shells, cast iron bombs filled with gunpowder.

Composite projectile weapons edit

Having a built-in gun or other ranged weapon combined with some other type of melee weapon.

  • Ax match and wheellock[1] (European axe with five barrels under a removable blade)
  • Carbine axe[1] (European axe)
  • Halberd double barreled wheellock[1] (European halberd)
  • Mace wheellock[1] (European mace)
  • Matchlock axe dagger[1] (European axe, dagger, matchlock combination)
  • Pistol sword (European sword)
  • War hammer wheellock[1] (European pick hammer)

Firing mechanisms edit

Slings edit

Bows edit

Longbows edit
Recurved bows edit
Short bows and reflex bows edit
Crossbows edit

Blowguns edit

Projectile weapons edit

Flamethrowers edit

Flexible weapons edit

Whips edit

Used for whipping.

Sectional and composite edit

Having multiple handles or holdable sections.

Chains and ropes edit

Having a heavy object attached to a flexible chain or rope. Wielded by swinging, throwing, or projecting the end, as well as wrapping, striking, and blocking with the chain or rope, sometimes attached to another type of weapon.

Defensive weapons edit

Shields and body armour edit

Further information: Armour and Self-defense

Shields edit

Used not only to block strikes and missiles but also swung outwardly (or in quick upward motions) to strike an opponent. Also used to rush an opponent (known as shield bashing). Some shields had spikes, sharp edges, or other offensive designs.

Armour parts edit

See also edit

Swords

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag Regan, Paula, ed. (2006). Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor. New York: DK Publishing. ISBN 0-7566-2210-7.
  2. ^ a b c Cope, Anne, ed. (1989). Swords and Hilt Weapons. New York: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. p. 8. ISBN 1-55584-290-9.
  3. ^ Gordon, Col. D.H. (1953). "Swords, Rapiers and Horse riders". Antiquity. 27 (106). Antiquity Publications Ltd: 67–76. doi:10.1017/S0003598X00024595. S2CID 163326613.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Levine, Bernard; Weland, Gerald. Knives, swords, & daggers. New York: Barnes & Noble. p. 66.
  5. ^ Levine, Bernard; Weland, Gerald. Knives, swords, & daggers. New York: Barnes & Noble. p. 200.
  6. ^ "Igorot Head Hunting Axe #2". Traditional Filipino Weapons.
  7. ^ "Spear (Sang) Indian". The Met.
  8. ^ "Northern spear".
  9. ^ a b Γεώργιος Ηλιόπουλος (Georgios Iliopoulos), "Η χαμένη πυραυλική τεχνολογία των αρχαίων Ελλήνων" (The lost missile technology of the ancient Greeks), Ιχώρ (Ihor), 27, page 12-13, Greece, 2002.
  10. ^ Γεώργιος Ηλιόπουλος (Georgios Iliopoulos), "Η χαμένη πυραυλική τεχνολογία των αρχαίων Ελλήνων" (The lost missile technology of the ancient Greeks), Ιχώρ (Ihor), 27, page 13, Greece, 2002.
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