List of premodern combat weapons

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This is a list of historical weapons, divided into categories of melee weapons and ranged weapons. They are further subdivided by weapon type and then ordered alphabetically. Although primarily consisting of cold weapons, early gunpowder weapons are also included.

Weapons 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 pole weapon or as a projectile). Bladed hilt weapons follow Col. D.H. Gordon's classification where applicable.[1][2]

[edit] Melee weapons

[edit] Hand or fist weapons and fans

Single-handed weapons not resembling a straight dagger blade. Usually wielded without wrist action. Often protects the forearm.

[edit] Bladed

Thrusting and slicing weapons for close quarters melee.

[edit] Shortswords

Delineated as 20-28 inches/51–71 cm total length.[1]

[edit] Straight shortswords
  • Baselard, Basilard (Europe)
  • Bilbo (Europe)
  • Bronze/Iron Sword, Celtic Dagger, Celtic Sword, Leaf-Shaped Dagger, Leaf-Shaped Sword (Europe)
  • Cinquedea, Anelace (Europe)
  • Colichemarde (Europe)
  • Cossack Dagger, Kama, Khanjali, Khanjarli, Kinjal, Ottoman Quama, Quama (Middle East)[3]
  • Gladius (Europe, Mediterranean)
  • Misericorde (Europe)
  • Small sword (Europe)
  • Swiss dagger, Holbein Dagger, Schweizerdegen (Europe)
  • Xiphos (Mediterranean)
[edit] Curved shortswords

[edit] Swords

Further information: Types of swords

Long swords were classified by Col. Gordon as longer than 28 inches/71 cm.[1]

[edit] Curved one-handed swords
[edit] Straight one-handed swords
[edit] Curved two-handed swords
[edit] Hand-and-a-half and two-handed greatswords
  • Assamese Dao (Indian, Southeast Asian)[3]
  • Boar Sword (European)[3]
  • Changdao (Chinese)
  • Claidheamh Da Laimh, Highland Sword (European)[3]
  • Dadao (Chinese)
  • Espadon (European)
  • Executioner's sword, Heading Sword, Sword of Justice (European)
  • Flame-bladed sword, Flambard, Flammard, Flammenschwert (European)
  • Great sword (European)
  • Katana (Japanese)
  • Longsword, Bastard Sword, Espée Bastarde, Hand-and-a-half Sword (European)
  • Nagamaki, Nagamaki Sword (attached to sword handle, as opposed to the polearm) (Japanese)[5]
  • Nodachi (Japanese)
  • Otachi (Japanese)
  • Parade Sword, Paratschwerter (European)[3]
  • Wodao (Chinese)
  • Zanbatō (Japanese)
  • Zhanmadao (Chinese)
  • Zweihänder, Bihander, Dopplehänder, Lowland Sword, Tuck, Two Handed Sword (European)
[edit] Axe-like swords

Generally concave blades with the sharpened edge running the length of the non-handle part. Used for heavy, chopping motions.

[edit] Other swords

[edit] Knives and daggers

Further information: List of daggers
[edit] Axe knives

Generally short, concave blades with the sharpened edge running the length of the non-handle part. Used for heavy chopping motions.

  • Arit (Southeast Asian)
  • Golok (Southeast Asian)
  • Hunting Cleaver (European)[3]
  • Karambit, Kerambit, Korambit (Southeast Asian)
  • Kopis (Mediterranean)
  • Kujang (Southeast Asian)
  • Mandau (Southeast Asian)
  • Pichangatti (Indian)[3]
  • Sickle (Worldwide; improvised)
  • Sudanese Sickle-Knife (African)[3]
  • Wedong (Southeast Asian)

[edit] Picks and pickaxes

[edit] Axes

[edit] Trauma weapons (clubs)

Wielded with one or two hands at close quarters with swinging motions.

[edit] Pole weapons

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

[edit] Blunt staffs

[edit] Spears

Further information: List of types of spears#Spears which are usually used in melee combat

Thrown spears and javelins are listed under ranged weapons.

[edit] Polearms with axe-like blades

[edit] Polearms with spikes and hammers

[edit] Ranged weapons

[edit] Thrown

[edit] Spears and javelins

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

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

[edit] Throwing sticks

[edit] Throwing blades and darts

  • Chakram (Indian, Southeast Asian)
  • Martiobarbuli, Plumbata (Mediterranean)
  • Shaken/Kurumaken, Bo-Shuriken/Throwing Spikes, Hira-Shuriken/Throwing Stars (Japanese)
  • Throwing knife (Worldwide)
  • Thrown Darts (Worldwide)

[edit] Throwing axes

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

[edit] Bows

[edit] Longbows

[edit] Recurved bows

[edit] Short bows and reflex bows

[edit] Crossbows

[edit] Other

  • Blowgun, Blow Tube, Blowpipe (Worldwide)
  • Bolas (Americas)
  • Fukiya (Japanese)
  • Kestros, Cestrosphendone, Cestrus, Kestrophedrone (Mediterranean)
  • Sling (Paleolithic, Mediterranean, European)
  • Stave Sling, Fustibale (Mediterranean)

[edit] Gunpowder weapons

[edit] Composite projectile weapons

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

  • Ax Match and Wheellock (European Axe with Five barrells under a removable blade)[3]
  • Carbine Ax (European Axe)[3]
  • Halberd Double Barreled Wheellock (European Halberd)[3]
  • Mace Wheellock (European Mace)[3]
  • Matchlock Ax/Dagger (European Axe, Dagger, Matchlock Combination)[3]
  • Pistol sword (European Sword)
  • War Hammer Wheellock (European Pick/Hammer)[3]

[edit] Flexibles

Used with whipping or swinging motions. Sometimes attached to another type of weapon.

[edit] Sectional or composite

Having multiple handles or holdable sections.

[edit] Chain weapons

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

[edit] Shields

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.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Cope, Anne, ed. (1989). Swords and Hilt Weapons. New York: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. pp. 8. ISBN 1555842909. 
  2. ^ Gordon, Col. D.H. (1953). "Swords, Rapiers and Horse-riders". Antiquity (Antiquity Publications Ltd) 27 (106): 67–76. http://antiquity.ac.uk/ant/027/Ant0270067.htm. 
  3. ^ 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 ah ai Regan,Paula, ed. (2006). Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor. New York: DK Publishing. ISBN 0756622107. 
  4. ^ Levine, Bernard; Gerald Weland. Knives, Swords, & Daggers. New York: Barnes & Noble. pp. 66. 
  5. ^ Levine, Bernard; Gerald Weland. Knives, Swords, & Daggers. New York: Barnes & Noble. pp. 200. 

[edit] See also

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