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List of premodern combat weapons

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Further information: Types of swords and Classification of swords

This list includes weapons which saw use in warfare, and more broadly in combat, prior to the advent of the early modern period, i.e., approximately prior to the start of the 16th century. It therefore excludes objects that may be broadly understood as weapons but are not combat weapons, such as ceremonial weapons and ritual tools shaped or conceptualized as weapons, hunting weapons, and other items that may be perceived as weapons but for which there is no historical evidence of their use in combat during the relevant period.

The entries are 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.

Hand-to-hand combat

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Hand or fist weapons and fans

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

Edged and bladed weapons

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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

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Main article: Sword
Further information: Types of swords and Lists of swords
Curved one-handed
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Straight one-handed
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Curved two-handed
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Hand-and-a-half and two-handed greatswords
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Shortswords
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Delineated as 20-28 inches/51–71 cm total length.[2]

Curved shortswords include the following:

Straight shortswords include the following:

Axe-like
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Generally, convex blades used for heavy chopping or slashing.

Other
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Fighting knives and daggers

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

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Axes

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Main article: Axe

Truncheons and blunt weapons

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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

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Main articles: Polearm and Spear

Wielded mainly with two hands. Primarily for hand-to-hand combat with sweeping, thrusting, and or hooking motions.

Blunt staves

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See also: Stick-fighting

Spears

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Main article: List of types of spears

Polearms with axe-like blades

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Polearms with spikes and hammers

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Flexible weapons

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Whips

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Main article: Whip § Weapons

Used for whipping.

Sectional and composite

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Having multiple handles or holdable sections.

Chains and ropes

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Main article: Chain weapon

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.

Shields

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Main article: Shield

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.

Thrown

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Throwing blades and darts

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Throwing spears

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Further information: List of types of spears § Normally thrown

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

Throwing axes

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Main article: Throwing axe

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

Throwing balls

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  • 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

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

Gunpowder-based

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See also: History of the firearm and Gunpowder § History
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.

Premodern firearms by firing mechanism

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For broader coverage of this topic, see Firing mechanism.

Combination weapons

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Main article: Combination weapon

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

  • 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)

Slings

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Bows

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Main article: Bow and arrow

Longbows

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Main article: Longbows

Recurve bows

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Main article: Recurve bow

Short bows and reflex bows

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Main articles: Short bow and Reflex bow

Crossbows

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Main article: Crossbow

Blowguns

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Stationary, mounted, or wheeled ballistic devices

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Further information: List of siege engines

This section includes ballistic (missile-launching) siege engines and similar larger ballistic devices which were either stationary, mounted on moving objects such as carts or elephants, or wheeled.

Flamethrowers

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Main articles: Flamethrower § History, and Early thermal weapons

See also

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Swords

References

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  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 Regan, Paula, ed. (2006). Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor. New York: DK Publishing. ISBN 0-7566-2210-7.
  2. ^ a b 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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