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List of premodern combat weapons

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki



This is a list of notable types of weapons that were used 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 similar weapons categorized together. 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 that fill within this period are also included.

Hand-to-hand combat

"Melee weapon" redirects here. For the concept, see melee.

Hand or fist weapons and fans

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

Edged and bladed weapons

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

For broader coverage of this topic, see Lists of swords.
See also: Types of swords and Classification of swords
Curved one-handed
Straight one-handed
Curved two-handed
Hand-and-a-half and two-handed greatswords
Shortswords

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

Curved shortswords include the following:

Straight shortswords include the following:

Axe-like

Generally, convex blades used for heavy chopping or slashing.

Other

Fighting knives and daggers

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

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

Axes

Main article: Axe

Truncheons and blunt weapons

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

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

See also: Stick-fighting

Spears

Main article: List of types of spears

Polearms with axe-like blades

Polearms with spikes and hammers

Flexible weapons

Whips

Main article: Whip § Weapons

Used for whipping.

Sectional and composite

Having multiple handles or holdable sections.

Chains and ropes

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

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

Throwing blades and darts

Throwing spears

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

Main article: Throwing axe

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

Throwing balls

  • 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

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

Gunpowder-based

See also: History of the firearm and Gunpowder § History
File:Ming Dynasty eruptor proto-cannon.jpg
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.

Slings

Bows

Main article: Bow and arrow

Longbows

Main article: Longbows

Recurve bows

Main article: Recurve bow

Short bows and reflex bows

Main articles: Short bow and Reflex bow

Crossbows

Main article: Crossbow

Blowguns

Stationary, mounted, or wheeled ballistic devices

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

Main articles: Flamethrower § History, and Early thermal weapons

See also

Swords

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 Regan, Paula, ed. (2006). Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor. New York: DK Publishing. ISBN 0-7566-2210-7. Search this book on
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cope, Anne, ed. (1989). Swords and Hilt Weapons. New York: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. p. 8. ISBN 1-55584-290-9. Search this book on
  3. ↑ Gordon, Col. D.H. (1953). "Swords, Rapiers and Horse riders". Antiquity. Antiquity Publications Ltd. 27 (106): 67–76. doi:10.1017/S0003598X00024595. Unknown parameter |s2cid= ignored (help)[permanent dead link]
  4. ↑ Levine, Bernard; Weland, Gerald. Knives, swords, & daggers. New York: Barnes & Noble. p. 200. Search this book on
  5. ↑ Wilbraham Egerton, 1st Earl Egerton (2002). Indian and Oriental armour. Dover Publications. p. 100. ISBN 978-0486422299. Unknown parameter |orig-date= ignored (help) Search this book on
  6. ↑ "Igorot Head Hunting Axe #2". Traditional Filipino Weapons.
  7. ↑ "Spear (Sang) Indian". The Met.
  8. ↑ "Northern spear".
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 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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