List of premodern combat weapons

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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

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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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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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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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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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Truncheons and blunt weapons

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

Blunt staves

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Spears

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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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Used for whipping.

Sectional and composite

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Having multiple handles or holdable sections.

Chains and ropes

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

Throwing axes

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

Gunpowder-based

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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

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Longbows

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Recurve bows

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Short bows and reflex bows

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Crossbows

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Blowguns

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Stationary, mounted, or wheeled ballistic devices

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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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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 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  2. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  5. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  6. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  7. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  8. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  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.