List of traditional armaments

This list of traditional armaments tries to include all "traditional" armaments. Essentially anything that is wieldable, excluding "modern" (post civil war) firearms. It lists everything by typography in easy-to-reference tables for your searching convenience.

This catalog does not however presume to list every dialectal variant for the word spear, sword, etc. It only attempts to provide a broad range of designs or unique characteristics of various arms of historical or regional significance, i.e. items that stand out from the standard norm. This catalog may include some modern examples but it tries to lean towards weapons of the past.

For mythological or fictional arms see:

• Category:Mythological weapons
• Category:Fictional weapons
• Category:Fictional swords

from the Morgan Bible

Mosaic of gladiators

Codex Manesse: a picture of mêlée at a tournament

How to read this table

Martial uses

• Implement – (main use is a tool/but has been "known" to be used in battle or modified as a poor-mans weapon)
• War – (battle tested and usually standard issue)
• Practice – (hardly functional/can still be dangerous)
• Civilian – (impracticable for warfare/battlefields, similar to martial art category but not as formalized. primarily used as a deterrent; for self-protection or dueling)
• Improvised – (makeshift or grabbing/but recorded to have been used)
• Martial art – (dueling and sparring/more likely to see it in a school than on the battlefield)
• Historic – (not a type but a "named" blade or of historical significance)
• Ceremony/ornament – (Main purpose is not as a weapon, but it isn't a toy either)
• Parry – (A parrying knife/ "sword breaker" Typically used off-hand; Paired with a main weapon to shield from incoming blows, counterattack or disarm)
• Relic – (surviving example of the ancient past, historic and precious )

First column header Prime example for comparison (weapon style/usage notation)

Era

• ANCIENT – Dawn of civilization stone/Bronze Age
• ANTIQUITY – (Mediterranean) Time of Greek & Roman states. roughly Iron Age
• MEDIEVAL – (Europe) Middle Ages 476 AD to 1450 AD
• RENAISSANCE – (Europe) 14th-16th centuries Europe
• MODERN – came into use fairly recently in the human time line
• TRADITIONAL – Modern use with roots in the distant past

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Synonyms

• Throwing axes – labeled under tomahawks
• Boomerang – labeled as a shuriken
• Wooden swords – considered a club or truncheon based on overall shape
• Cane sword – under rapier heading due to its blade function.
• Shikomizue – under long truncheons due to its scabbard form.

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Pole arms and staff weapons

A pole with a weaponized tip; often used to counter mounted cavalry or to aid in infantry charges. Their benefit is their reach. Their hindrance is they are often hard to wield and transport, and tie up both hands; this usually leads to the need of a backup weapon such as a sword.

surmounted "spear-like" head

conical(spiked) or triangular (dagger) tipped – used primarily for impaling

Lances/Cavalry

long spear with weight set back towards the handle or a light tip, used mainly while on horseback

Lances/cavalry spears	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Lance	General term	Europe et al.	era?
Sistan	War	Greece	era?
Barchi	?	Asia	era?
Kontos	?	Iran	era?

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Pikes/Infantry

example image	description
Several yari:	Tendency to be noticeably long and heavy, Sometimes requires a supporting strap; used in charges to gore, impail or trample and is not intended to be thrown

Category:Bayonets—Modern rifle pikes

Pike/infantry spears	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Pike	War	Europe	era?
Sarissa	War	Macedonia	Antiquity
Military fork/many varieties	Siege	Europe	era?
Partisan	War	Europe	era?
Ranseur	Ceremony/War	Europe	era?
Spetum	?	Europe	era?
Yari	General term	Japan	Traditional
Qiang	General term	China	era?
Bohemian earspoon	?	?	era?
Brandistock	Civilian/War	Europe	16th-19th centuries
Spontoon	War	Europe	17th century
Dory Spear	War	Mediterranean	Antiquity

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Javelins/Throwing/Skirmish

example image	description
	balanced for hurling but can be held, light spear

Javelin/throwing spears	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Pilum/Peelon	General term	Rome	Antiquity
Verutum	War	Roman	era?
Spiculum	War	Roman	era?
Lancea	War	Roman	era?
Hasta	War	Roman	era?
Falarica	?	Iberia	era?
Angon	?	Frank	Medieval
Soliferrum	War	Iberia	era?
Assegai	?	Africa	Traditional
Sulica	War	Slavs	Medieval

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Spear, Trident/Hunting, War

example image	description
Poseidon sculpture holding a trident	Median between infantry pikes and javelins, often used by auxiliaries or non regular troops. Can be thrown, but best suited as a hand weapon for thrusting. Used in hunting and war. "The signature spear"

Spear/Food fetching	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Spear	General term	Universal	Transcendent
Iklwa(sword/spear)	war	Africa/Zulu	era?
Spike bayonet	?	Europe	era?
Harpoon	Implement	Seacoasts	era?
Korean spears	General info/names	Korea	era?
One flue harpoon	Implement	?	era?
Two flue harpoon	Implement	?	era?
Toggling harpoon	Implement	?	era?
Sibat	Implement/war	Filipino	era?
Ahlspiess	?	Germany	15th-16th centuries
Boar spear	Hunt/war	Europe	Antiquity
Vel	Ceremony/Fantastic	India	Traditional
3 Great Spears	Historic	Japan	era?
Spear of Fuchai	Relic	China	era?
Brandistock/retractable	War/civilian	Europe	16th-19th centuries
Multi prong
Leister/Gig	Fishing	Widespread	Traditional
Trident	implement/weapon	Widespread	ancient to present
Trishula	Ceremony	?	era?
Dangpa-chang	War	Korea	up until the 1900s
pitchfork	Implement	Widespread	era?
Stingray spear	War (single strike)	New Zealand (Māori)	Traditional

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Surmounted "sword-like" tip

Sabre shaped

example image	description
A samurai wielding a naginata	downward choppers, allow tight formations or mounted reach

glaives/pole-swords	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Glaive	War	Europe	era?
Naginata	War	Japan	Edo?
Nagamaki	War	Japan	era?
Bisento	War	Japan	era?
Guisarme/pruning hook	Improvised	Europe	era?
Ngaw	Elephant rider	Thailand	era?
Sovnya	War	Russia	13th-17th centuries

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Cleaver shaped

Blade is broader and squater then the "glaive" types; machete-like

Squat blade/Pole-cleaver	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Guandao	Martial art	China	Traditional
Green Dragon Crescent Blade	Historic	China	Myth?
Bisen-to	War/MA	Japan	5th century(+)
9 ring sabre/rattling guandao	MA/shaolin	Asia	Traditional
Atgeir	War	Norselands	era?
Voulge	War	Europe	era?
Bill	Improvised/War	Europe	era?
Chacing staff	?	Europe	era?

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Concave edge/Falcate

sharpened edge is on the concave rather than the convex side.

Pole scythe/Chopping	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
war scythe	Improvised/War	Europe	era?
Falx	War	Europe	era?
Fauchard	Europe	?	11th-14th centuries
Siege hook	War	?	era?
Rhomphaia	War	Thrace	400bc

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surmounted "axe-style" tip

example image	description
halberds.	mostly used to batter/crush armor, deliver powerful blows

halberd/pole-axes	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Halberd	War/type	Europe	era?
Ox tongue/double-edged	War	Europe	Medieval
poleaxe	War	Europe	era?
Tabar Zin	?	Persia	era?
Ji	?	China	Traditional
Arbir	?	Indonesia	era?
Doloire	Implement/war	Europe	era?
Lochaber axe	War	Europe	era?
Gandasa	Implement	Punjab/India	era?

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surmounted hammer/mace/Pick

head can be blunt but often contains spikes/flukes

the mace differs from the hammer in that it is radially symmetric

pole-mace/hammer	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Bec de corbin	War	Europe	era?
Bec de Corbin
Dagger-axe	War	China	Ancient
Roundhead	War	Europe	era?
Chúi	Martial art	China	Traditional
Lucerne hammer	War	Europe	15th-16th centuries
Tepoztopilli	War/Spear-like	Americas	era?
Shakujo/Ringed staff	Ceremony/MA-Shaolin	China	era?
Sceptre	Ceremony	Widespread	era?
Crosier	Ceremony	Catholic states	era?
Sucellus(good striker)	Historic	Ireland	Mythic

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Battle staves/counter balanced

used for ground fighting with a wide berth, centrally balanced

can have two weaponized tips, or ferruled (metal caps)

quarterstaffs/dual tipped	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Monk's Spade
Quarterstaff	Defense/Term	Europe	era?
La canne	Martial art	France	era?
Plong	martial art	Thailand	Modern/Traditional
Baton francais	martial art	France	Traditional
Chilambamboo	MA/Ceremony/Defense	India	Ancient
Shareeravadi/bamboo pole	Martial art	India	Traditional
Naboot	Martial art	Egypt	era?
Bo	General term	Japan	Traditional
Gun (staff)	General term	China	Traditional
Hanbo	martial art	Japan	Traditional
Jō	Martial art	Japan	Traditional
Tambo	Martial art	Japan	Traditional
Weaponized/Bladed tips
Monk's spade	martial art	Orient	Traditional
pugil stick	practice	United States	Modern
Double naginata	Fantastic	Graphic forms	Modern
Farsha/both tips dbl axe	Fantastic	India	Mythic?
Taiaha/spear & blade ends	War	New Zealand (Māori)	Traditional

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Man catchers/indirect lethality

example image	description
Thief catchers: left- tsukubō, center- sodegarami, right-sasumata	used to hook or grasp an adversary so he can be dispatched or arrested

mancatcher/grasping	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Man catcher	Dismounting	Europe	era?
Witch catcher	Arrest/Inquisition	Europe	era?
Sodegarami	Arrest	Japan	Traditional
Tsukubo	Arrest	Japan	Traditional
Sasumata	Arrest	Japan	Traditional

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Hafted/fitted onto handles

Socketed heads, fitted on a short staff or stick carved into a handle "HELVE"

Used to break armor, shields,and bone by virtue of kinetic impact

wedge shaped or crescent edged blade used to cleave

Hafted one-handed

Can be thrown or wielded, hafted weapons consist of a heavy head inset on a short handle and are used to deliver powerful blows

Tomahawks/hammers/picks

example image	description
A pipe tomahawk	tries to cleave through objects or leave a nasty gaping hole. Differ from maces in that they have specified working faces. Often balanced for throwing

hatchet/chopping	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Tomahawk	Term/Impl/War/Throw	North America	era?
Hatchet	Implement	Universal	era?
Boarding axe	Ship siege	High seas	era?
Ono	Implement/war	Japan	era?
Fasces	Ceremony	Rome	Classical
Throwing Axe	Terminology	Widespread	era?
Francisca	War/Throwing	West Europe	era?
Nzappa zap	War/Throwing	Africa	era?
Hunga Munga	War/Throwing:Unique look	Africa	era?
Sapper	Improvised:used like an axe	Europe	World War I-modern
Hurlbat	War	Europe/Throwing	Medieval
Blunted
War club(stone hammer)	War	?	Ancient
Mallet	Implement	?	Ancient
Hammer	Tool/Weapon	Widespread	era?
Spiked or spurred
Ice axe	Implement	?	Era?
Chicken sickles	martial art:firepoker look	region	era?

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Maces

example image	description
Flanged maces	Both club-like and hammer-like, head is fitted onto a handle, sometimes singularly forge. It has a radially symmetric striking head, more practical then a hammer as it is not off-balance.

mace/batter, pucture	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Mace	General term	Universal	era?
Morning star	Description	Europe	era?
Ceremonial mace	Ceremony	Widespread	era?
Stone-head mace	War	Egypt	Ancient
Mace of king scorpion	Relic/Ceremony	Egypt	Ancient

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Hafted/two hander

Longer helve to accommodate two hands and a heavier tip

Axes/battle axes

example image	description
	A heavy head requires two hands to swing and aim properly.

axe/chop, cleave	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Axe	General term	Universal	Traditional
Battle axe	War/Term	?	era?
Broadaxe	Implement/Geometry	?	era?
Valaška	Implement/historic	Poland	era?
Sagaris	?	?	era?
Labrys/Dbl edge	Historic/Icon	Greece	Antiquity
Palstave	Type/Relic	Europe	Bronze Age
Masakari/Monk's axe	?	Japan	era?
Zulu Axe/half moon	War	Africa(Zuly)	traditional
Skeggox/Bearded axe	Impli/War/Style	Norse	6th century

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Hammers/Mauls/Pickaxes

example image	description
War hammer	A smaller surface area then an axe used to concentrate impact energy to a point. note: many hammers have an axehead or beak and axes can have a hammerhead but one is usually meant to be used as the primary end.

warhammer/batter, puncture	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Pickaxe	Implement	Widespread	era?
Dolabra(pickaxe)	Implement	Roman	Antiquity
Mattock	Implement	Widespread	era?
War Hammer	War	Europe	era?
Horseman's pick	War	Europe	Medieval
Maul	Implement	?	era?
Otsuchi/giant mallet	Siege/battering	Japan	era?

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hafted-like/short pole mounted

example image		description
A scythe	examples of a bardiche.	Many short polearms behave like a hafted object. this is the bastard class of polearms with a handle too short to be a pole but too long to be a helve

scythe/intermediate	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Scythe	Implement	Widespread	Traditional
Bardiche	War	Europe	era?
Danish axe	War	Europe	era?
Dissasembler/2hand cleaver	Implement	slaughterhouses	Traditional

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Hilted blades/fitted into handles

Tang fitted into a handle, can often have hand guards

knives

example image			description
A typical James Black/Musso pattern S-guard bowie knife	Kentish brishing hooks	Kama	A knife is usually single edged, prime usage is to slice/chop but some have stabbing tips.

Knives/cutting, slicing	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Blade styles.
Sheath knives
Tantō/blade style	?	Japan	era?
Puukko	Term/Hunting implement	Finish/Scandinavian	era?
Misericorde	War	?	Medieval
Bich'hwa	?	India	era?
Sharpfinger/Style	Skinning/Implement	America	Modern
Kukri/Gurkha/ (bent blade)	Combat	Nepal	Traditional
Bowie knife	Multi purpose	America	Modern
Rampuri	Thuggery/Icon	India	19th century?
Kinmen Knife/Design	Implement/Historic	China	Modern
Survival knife	Implement	?	Modern
Combat knife	War/tool	?	era?
Boot knife	Wear style	?	era?
KM2000	combat	Germany	Modern
Trench knife	Iprov/war	Europe	World War I
Morey MK 1	Rare/style/War	?	Modern
KA-BAR	Combat	U.S.issue	World War II onward
Athame/black handle	Ceremony/wicca	?	Traditional
Folding knives
Switchblade/used as a dagger	Civilian	?	era?
Pocket knife/Folding	Utility/style	Widespread	era?
Sebenza	civilian	U.S.	Modern
Strider SMF	Marine, Issued	U.S.	Modern
Navaja/Large folding	Combat/Civilian	Spain	15th century(+)
Straight razor	Implement/civil	Widespread	Ancient roots
Knife-like/warped blades
Billhook	Implement	Europe	era?
Sickle	Implement	Universal	era?
Kama	Improvised/MA	Japan	Traditional
Karambit/Claw-like	?	SE Asia isles	Traditional
Haladie/S-shaped	War (armor piercing)	India	Traditional
Kujang	?	Sudan/Indonesia	era?
Crooked knife	Implement	Native America Easterwoods	era?
Boline/white handle	Ceremony/Wicca	?	Traditional
Other
Glass knife	Implement/?	?	Ancient roots
Shocknife/electric	Training	World Wide	Modern
Ballistic knife	War	Russian:special forces	Modern
Tumi	Ceremony/Sacrifice	Peru	Ancient
Bone knife (carved)	Ceremony	?	era?
Hand axe/rock-shard	Implement	Widespread	Ancient
Ovate handaxe/egg-shape	Implement	Widespread	Ancient

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daggers

example image			description
F-S Fighting Knife.	A standard icepick	Two sai	A daggar is often triangular and double edged but sometimes edgeless and tapers to a sharp point. Prime usage is to pierce, but some can also cut. When a knife's purpose and design is to be used as a weapon rather than for utility it is usually called a dagger.

Daggers/stabbing, parrying	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Parrying dagger/Specialized	War/offhand	Europe	Late Medieval
Kard	War	Levant	18th century and earlier
Misericorde/Mercy killer	term/Dispatching	Europe	Medieval
Amphismela	Term	?	era?
Kaiken	General term	Japan	era?
Bollock dagger	Style	British	13th-18th centuries
Stiletto/style type	War	?	era?
Jambiya	General term	Arabia	Traditional
Khanjar/hook shape	?	Oman/Arabia	Traditional
Khanjali	?	Country of Georgia	era?
Poignard	?	?	Medieval/Renaissance
Rencong	Ceremony	Aceh/Indonesia	era?
Bhuj	?	Sindh/India	era?
Pugio	Backup	Roman	Antiquity
Parazonium	Historic	Roman	Antiquity
Obe	?	Africa	era?
Yoroi toshi	?	Japan	era?
Ear dagger	Rare style	Europe	Renaissance
Facon	Combat	South America	era?
Hunting dagger	Dispatching game	Germany	18th century
Sgian dubh	Ceremony	Scotland	Traditional
Thracian dagger	Relic	Thrace	era?
Trench Knife	Improvised/War	Europe	World War I
V-42 Stiletto	War	?	World War II
Gerber Mark II	style/war	U.S. issue	World War II onward
F-S stilleto	War	England	Modern
U.S. Marine Stilleto	Combat	Issued	World War II
Spike/edgeless
Phurba	Ceremony	Tibet	Traditional
Rondel	Combat	Europe	Late Medieval
Shank/Shiv	Improvised	Prisons	Modern
Ice pick	Implement	?	era?
Quadrant/4 prong	Arena battle	Rome	Classical
Sai	Parry/Martial art	Japan	era?
Oak Stake	Historic	Europe	Myth

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Short swords/long knives

The iffy category between dagger and knife and sword. Most chopping backswords are here as well as daggers over 12"

Stabbers

example image			description
Dirk	Kris	Bayonet M. 1898/05 used by Prussians during WW1	Hard to classify implements that have long dagger-like blades, not quite a sword or a dagger in feel. Primarily a stabbing weapon.

long dagger/stabbing	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Gladius	War	Rome/Mediterra/Euro	era?
1832 Artillery sword	War	U.S.	Mid 1800s
Kris/wavey blade	Ceremony	Asia	era?
Taming Sari	Historic	Philippine/Malay	Myth
Anelace	?	Euro	Medieval
Acinaces	War	Persia	era?
Cinquedea	Civilian	Italy	era?
Seme	?	Maasai tribe/Africa	Traditional
Dirk	?	Euro	era?
Poniard	Parry/Decor	Europe	Medieval
Small sword	Decoration	Euro	era?
Hunting sword	Implement	Euro	era?
Baselard	?	Swiss	era?
Bayonet	War	Euro	era?
Quillion	Parry/hilt	Europe	era?

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Chopping sword

example image				description
A ninjatō	4th-century BC Iberian falcata (M.A.N., Madrid).	Chinese Dao Knife or Sabre	Butterfly Swords	like a knife but longer, often single edged, rounded tip but sometimes tapers to a point. Blades intended to hack are often heavier at the tip and wide. Blades designed for slicing have curved edges and tend to be thinner

long knife/chop, slice	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
narrow blade
Ninjato/Ninjaken	Civilian	Japan	era?
Wakizashi	Ceremony/war	Japan	era?
Seax/Scramsax	Implement/war	Euro	era?
Bolo/Itak/Talibong	Implement	Philippines	era?
Kullu Machan/Claw shaped	Implement	Indonesia	Traditional
Kodachi	?	Japan	era?
Hachiwara	Parrying	Japan	era?
Klewang	Implement	Indonesia	era?
Golok	Implement	Indonesia	era?
Kirpan	?	Mid east	era?
Pinuti	Implement	Philippines	era?
Makhaira	War	Greece	era?
undulated edge ~
Falcata	?	Mediterranean	era?
Kopis	Sacrifice/war	Mediterranean	era?
Yatagan	War	Turkey	era?
Sappara	War	?	Ancient
broad/saberish shape
Machete	Implement	Worldwide	era?
Smatchet/leaf bladed	WAR	Brit/America	World War I
Sami knife	Implement	North Europe	Traditional
Coa/round tip	Implement	Central America	era?
Butterfly sword	martial art	China	era?
Vettukathi (sword)	Martial art	India	Traditional
Parang	implement	Indonesia	era?
Cane knife	implement	South America	era?
Corvo	implement/War	Chile	era?
Cutlass	Naval/war	Europe	era?
Großmesser/Hiebmesser	?	Europe	era?
Falchion	?	Europe	era?
Dao (sword)	General term	China	era?
Dadao hand & 1/2	?	China	era?
Nader Shah's Sword	Relic/Crown Jewel	Persia	era?
Sword of Saint Peter	Relic	Poland	contested

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Swords-one handed

• Korean sword – overview—Types & history
• Backsword – overview—Sabre type
• Bronze Age swords – overview—Sword beats club
• Iron Age swords – overview—they rust
  • Sverd – overview—Viking type
    • Migration Period sword—Viking sword stub
• Oakeshott typology -- 13 Medieval blade designs
• Sword of State—Symbol of many monarchies

curved/sabre-like

example image		description
Talwar, 17th century, from India	Shan's dha	Blades designed to draw-cut or chop they are often curved and single edged. Typically used as a cavaliers (horsemans) side arm.

sabre/backswords	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Saif	General term	Mid Eastern	era?
Sabre/Briquet	Cavalry	Europe/America	near modern
Mameluke sword	Ceremony/Dress	Western	Modern
Schweizersabel	?	Swiss	15th-17th centuries
Shashka	War	Russia	era?
Pulwar	?	Afghan	era?
Kilij	?	Turkey	era?
Szabla	?	Slavic	era?
Talwar	?	India	era?
Shamshir	?	Persia	era?
Scimitar	?	Middle East	era?
Dha	?	Thailand	era?
Niuweidao	Civilian	China	era?
"Patton Saber"	War	?	Modern
Carol I,Saber	Relic	Romania	era?
Korbschläger	MA/fencing	Germany	Modern
Glockenschläger	MA/fencing	Germany	Modern
Less pronounced curve
Koncerz/long & straight	War	Poland	15th century(+)
Nimcha	?	Africa	era?
Agedengbe	?	Africa	era?
Tanmagayi	?	Africa	era?
Tachi	War	Japan	era?
Liuyedao	War	China	era?
Piandao	?	China	era?
Karabela	War	Europe	era?
Krabi/crabbie	Martial art	Thailand	Traditional
Zulfiqar	Historic/icon	Arabia	era?

• Category:British Service Swords – modern sabers

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straight/Jian-like

example image		description
Spatha,Viking	Khanda	Straight blades are meant for thrusing but can also inflict cuts; often double edged and have a pointed tip.

Spatha/stab, hack	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Broad sword	War/Term varies	Europe	era?
Curtana	Ceremony	?	era?
Spadroon	War	Europe	era?
Flamberge	General term	Europe	era?
Spatha	War	Mediterranean	era?
Viking sword	War/heirloom	Europe	era?
Celtic sword	War	Europe	era?
Cawood sword/Viking	Relic	Yorkshire	?
Colada/of El Cid	Historic	West Europe	?
Tizona/of El Cid	Relic	West Europe	1002
Bamburgh Sword	Relic	Northumberland	estimated 7th century
Pernik sword	Relic	Bulgeria	Medieval
Xiphos	War	Greek	era?
Schiavona	War	Europe	Renaissance
Katzbalger/S-8 guard	skinning cats	Europe	era?
Mortuary sword/basket hilt	?	Europe	era
Side-sword	War	Europe	era?
Arming sword/Knight's	War	Europe	era?
Szczerbiec	Relic/Ceremony	Poland	Traditional
Flyssa	?	Africa	era?
Kaskara	?	Africa	era?
Takoba/Tokouba	?	Africa	era?
Chokuto	?	Japan	era?
Hwandudaedo	War	Korea	era?
Saingeom	?	Korea	Joshuan
Jian	?	China	era?
Sword of Goujian	Relic	China	era?
Sword of Victory	Historic	Thailand	era?
Seven-Branched Sword	Relic/Ceremony	China	era?
Kalis	?	Philippines	era?
Kampilan	?	Philippines	era?
Khanda	?	India	era?
Nandao	?	China	era?
Kusanagi	Historic	Japan	Mythical?
Yanmaodao	?	China	era?

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Rapier-like/Dueling swords

example image	description
Rapier, first half of the 17th century.	A thin often "springy", straight blade intended for thrusting. Light weight for quick movements but at same time lessens cutting power. Not usually suited for war, but instead used for civilian dueling and sport. Often allows paired wielding "rapier and dagger" or duo-wielding "double sword"

Rapier/Stabbing, dueling	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
bilbo	Historic	Europe	era?
dueling sword	Dueling	Europe	late 17th-19th centuries
Colichemarde	War/Dueling	region?	era?
Espada ropera	Civilian	Spain	16th-17th centuries
Rapier	Civilian	Europe	16th-17th centuries
Small sword	Dueling/Ornament	France	17th-18th centuries
Pariser/sharp tip	Martial art	Germany	era?
Flamberge/blade style	MA/vibration	?	era?
Epee/edgeless	martial art	Europe	era?
Foil/blunt tip	martial art	Europe	era?
Taijijian	Martial art	China	Traditional
Cane-swords
Cane-sword	Civilian	Widespread	era?
Dolon	?	Rome	Antiquity
Sword umbrella	civilian	Europe	era?

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sword-like/hooked/warped

Sword-like, not easily definable, can be falcate/sickle-shaped or warped

khopesh/hooking	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Hook sword	Martial art	China	Obscure roots
Shotel	War/organ piercing	Africa	era?
Aruval	?	India	era?
Harpe	Historic	Mediterranean	Myth
Khopesh	War	Levant/north Africa	Ancient
Kiddo	War	Philistine	Ancient

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two handed swords

The two-handed sword's hilt is long enough to accommodate both hands; to increase thrust or chop power. Many can be held with just one hand but are more effective with two

Katana/2h sabres

Resembling a sabre but with a longer handle to allow the blade to pivot between two hands and increase cutting power

katana/power strike	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Katana	Ceremony/war	Japan	era?
Tachi/style?	?	Japan	era?
Kriegsmesser	?	Germany	era?
Miaodao	War	China	era?
Dotanuki	?	Japan	era?
Katana shape
Iaito	Practice	Japan	era?
Hengdang	Ceremony	India	Traditional

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Longsword/2H Thrust & hack

Typically a straight blade tapering to a sharp point. Their hilt accommodates two hands to allow the attacker to put his weight behind the attack

Long sword/power thrust	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
A longsword:
Longsword	?	Europe	era?
Estoc	?	Europe	era?
Guy of Warwick's Sword	Relic	England	est 13th century
Jewelled Sword of Offering	Ceremony	England	Traditional
Warbrand/cavalry sword	historic	Europe	Medieval
Shuang shou jian	?	China	era?
Executioner's sword	Capital punishment	Europe	era?
Sword of Justice	Execution	Widespread	era?

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hand-and-half swords

hard to categorize, intermediate from a one to a two hander, often a ricosso near hilt

bastard/hack, thrust	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Bastard sword	General term	Europe	era?
Excalibur	Fantasy	Europe	Mediaeval/myth

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Great swords/horse killers

example image		description
a Nodachi:	A Flammenschwert. This is a two-handed sword.	Typically tries to clobber the opponent by virtue of its heavy blade, rather than cut or pierce; it can be impracticably large but its handle is still a hilt design.

zweihander/smiting	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Sabre-like
Otachi	War/Ceremony	Japan	era?
Nodachi	?	Japan	era?
Kogarasu Maru	Field sword, Anti-cavalry	Japan	era?
Okatana	War	Japan	era?
Zanbato	Ornamental	Japan	era?
Changdao	War	China	era?
Wodao	War	China	era?
Zhanmadao	War	China	era?
Straight bladed cleavers
Greatsword	General term	Europe	era?
Zweihander	?	Europe	era?
Flammenschwert	Blade design	Europe	era?
Claymore	General term	Europe	era?
Wallace Sword	Contested Relic	Britain	era?

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Loaded fists

Enhances punching power by increasing mass of the hand or concentrating force onto a smaller area

Blunt, more or less

gloves, wraps,rings, knuckle guards, grips,

Knuckle duster/KAPOW!	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
brass knuckles
Brass knuckles/Knuckle duster	Civilian	?	era?
Cestus(leather wrap)	Sport	Rome	Antiquity
Muai Cad Chuke (Cord wrap)	Martial art	Thailand	Traditional
Tekko/Abumi	Improvised	?	era?
Tekagi-shuko/Neko-te	MA/Ninja	Japan	Traditional
Yawara	Martial art/Civilian	Japan	Traditional
Kubotan/keychain	Civilian	?	Modern
Shobo	MA/Ninja	Japan	Traditional
Suntetsu	martial art	Japan	era?
Vajra Mushti	martial art	India	Traditional
Yubi-bo	MA/Ninja	Japan	Traditional
Millwall brick	Improvised	England	Modern

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Bladed fist

cross handle gripped blades; similar to knives/shortswords

Push dirks/Cool factor	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Bagh nakh/tiger claws	martial art	Asia	era?
Shuko/Bear claws	martial art/Ninja	Japan	era?
Push dirk/boot knife	Civilian	?	era?
Pata/sword gauntlet	?	India	era?
Lantern shield/sword gauntlet	Civilian	Europe	medieval
Katar (कटार)	?	?	era?
Rajput Kitar	War(scissor-like)	India	era?
Grip knife	Martial art	?	era?
Karambit	Martial art	?	Traditional
Karambit/dbl bladed	martial art	Indonesia	era?
Haladie/dbl bladed	War	India	Traditional
An ulu from Alaska
Ulu	Implement	Inuit	Traditional
Deer horn knives	martial art	China	era?
Madu/antelope horn	Parry	India
Wind and fire wheels	martial art	China	era?
Srbosjek/glove-like	Enormity	Croatia	World War II
Cargo hook/box hook	Improvised	High seas	era?

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Bludgeons/clubs

blunt (but not always) weapons. traditionally fabricated from naturally originating material, often using only stoneage technology. Primarily used to cause deep tissue damage (contusions) rather than cuts.

truncheons/canes/Stick-shaped

short, one-handed staves used to beat, jab, block and deflect strikes, or gain leverage during joint locks used against foes. They tend to be stick-shaped, round, not very thick and radially symmetrical. Sometimes they incorporate some devise to aid the grip so it will not slip.

Stick weapon/defense	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Short Sticks
A pair of Tonfa
Mai sokki/ (tonfa look)	Martial art	Thailand	Modern/Traditional
Macana/Shard studded	War	Americas	era?
Single stick/Wood sword	Practice	Europe	era?
Kurunthadi	Martial art	India	Traditional
Billy club/Baton/night-stick	Police	Widespread	Traditional
Baton (symbol)	Ceremony	?	Traditional
Tonfa/style with many names	Martial art	?	era?
Swagger stick	Punishment/Symbol	?	Traditional
Long sticks
Makila	Implement/icon	Basques of West Europe	era?
Federschwert/wood sword	practice	Europe	Renaissance
Shinai/bamboo sword	Practice/MA	Asia	era?
Lathi	Martial art	India	era?
Jitte/jute/wood sword	martial art	Japan	era?
A crook and flail.
Crook/hooked tip	Implement	?	ancient
Cane/walking stick	Implement/icon	?	era?
Bokken/wood sword	Practice/MA	Japan	era?
Suburito/wood sword	Practice/MA	Japan	era?
Tanjo	Martial art	Japan	Traditional
Shikomizue/Concealed sword	Civilian	Japan	Traditional

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Clubs/Widening end

Clubs tend to be hefty and sturdy; typically graduating from a handle to a weighted tip of larger size. Some have an edge that can split open a head. Normally fabricated from a single piece of wood.

Club/clobbering	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
The hero and god Heracles
Crow bar	Improv/Civilian	?	era?
Tire iron	Improv/Civilian	?	Modern
Frying pan/cast iron	Improv/Civilian	?	era?
Helve/axehandle	Implement	Universal	era?
Waddy	War/Ceremony/Hunt	Australia	Traditional
Trench raiding club	Improvised/War	Europe	World War I
Dussack/Wood sword	Practice	Germany	16th century
Indian club	Improvised	India	era?
Waster/wood sword	Practice	?	era?
Macuahuitl	War/sword-like	Americas	Pre-Columbian
Femur	Improvised	?	era?
Belaying pin	Improvised	High seas	era?
Ass jaw	Improvised/Theology	Philistine	Biblical
Otta	Martial art	India	Traditional
Paddle	Punitive	?	Traditional
Leiomono/shark-toothed club	war/sword-like	Polynesian tribes	Traditional
Mere (weapon)/Stone paddle club	War	Māori:only south isle	Traditional

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Two handed clubs/bats

Tend to be heavier and less balanced then the quarter staff, usually made from a single piece of hardened wood or other material. Typically too short to be considered a polearm and too off-balance to be effectively used with only one hand

bats/braining	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Planson/iron shod bat	War	?	Medieval
Shillelagh/short or long	Civilian/historic/Icon	Ireland	era?
hockey stick/Hoquet	civilian	Western	Modern
baseball bat	civilian	America	Modern
Eku/war oar	Improvised/War	?	era?
boat oar	civilian	region?	era?
cricket bat	civilian	Europe	era?
Kuwa/Hoe-like	?	Okinawa	era?
golf club	civilian	Western	era?
an oni armed with a kanabō.
Kanabo/studded bat	martial art	Japan	Traditional
Plancon a picot	War	Europe	Medieval
Taiaha	Martial art/War	New Zealand	Traditional
Tewhatewha	Ceremony	New Zealand	Traditional

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Soft and segmented weapons

"soft" as opposed to "rigid" weapons. Typically they consist of a handle and a weaponized tip attached to each other by a flexible body of rope, chain, etc. This gives them a longer reach or incorporates mechanical advantage to increase momentum and thus striking power. The trade-off is that they are more difficult to control and may harm nearby allies or even the wielder himself. they also require open space so not to be snagged on or impeded by nearby obstacles and thus rendered ineffective.

Scourges/short tongs

More of a tool for corporal punishment and a "psychological" weapon. It can inflict horrible wounds, especially when weaponized with barbs or weights.

scourge/punishment	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Scourge	corporal punishment	region	era?
A small martinet.
Flagellum	corporal punishment	Roman	era?
Cat o' nine tails	corporal punishment	region	era?
Scorpeone	Punishment	Roman	Antiquity
Buntot Pagi/stingray	Apotrope/MA	Philippines	Traditional
Knout	Punishment/Icon	Russian	era?
Nagyka	improvised/Icon	Russia	era?
Sjambok/litupa	Improvised/Icon	South Africa	era?
Martinet	Punitive	France/Europe	era?
Crop/1 stiffish tong	improvised	?	era?
Maza Whip/wooden switch	Pain Ritual	Africa(Ethiopia/Hama)	Traditional

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Whips/long lash

Most whips are impractical as a real-world weapon but often thought of as such, mostly due to fantastic depictions. like the scourge it is more useful as a tool of intimidation, but it can cause lethal damage. The bullwhip is iconic in the Indiana Jones movies and used as a grapple. In the movie "High plains drifter" starring Clint Eastwood, The plot revolves around whips being used as weapons by a gang of thugs to torture and kill the main character.

Whip/scare n snare	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Switch/flexible rod	Punitive	Widespread	era?
Urumi/Chuttuval/wire whip	martial art	India	era?
Chain whip/connected rods	martial art	China	Traditional
Bullwhip	Implement/hunt	Widespread	era?
10ft 12 Plait Bullwhip
Stockwhip	Implement	Australia	era?
Kurbash/rhinohide strap	Torture/Icon	Turkey	era?
Quirt	Improvised	?	era?
Rebenque/rawhide	Implement	South America	era?

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Rope darts/Meteor hammers

A weighted object at the end of a "long" flexible body, used to ensnare, cause injury and as a deterrent from attack. It is difficult to master. said to be unblockable as it will simply wrap around any attempt and still strike the target behind.

ropedart/defense	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Rope dart	Martial arts/term	Orient	era?
Slungshot/loaded sleeves	martial art/Civilian	Orient	Modern
Meteor hammer	martial art	Orient	era?
Kyoketsu shoge/chain+spur	Historic/Ninja	Japan	era?
Kusarigama/chain+sickle	Anti-Siege/MA	Japan	Traditional
Manriki-gusari	Martial art	Japan	Traditional
Surujin	martial art	Okinawa	Traditional
Lariat/lasso	Capture/icon	U.S. cowboys/others	Traditional
Dragon beard hook	Man fishing	China	Traditional
Pikoi club/Flying club	War	Hawaii	Traditional

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Flails/Segmented weapons

A handle and a swiple (weight) connected by a "short" section of chain or rope. Often appears as a segmented mace. Its main advantage is it imparts no vibrational energy to the wielder when the hammer end strikes a target. However, the behavior of that hammer can be unpredictable and cause personal or undesired injury if one is not sufficiently skilled.

Flail/Crushing	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Flail
Weaponized Flail	War	Europe	Medieval
Flail	Implement	Widespread	Ancient
Chang xiao ban/grain flail	Martial art	?	Traditional
Ball and chain	War	Europe	Medieval
Chigriki/staff+chain	MA/ninja	traditional
Samjiegun/3 piece staff	martial art	?	era?
san set sukon 3-PC staff	Martial art	?	traditional
types of nunchaku
Nunchuku	improvised/MA	Japan	Traditional
Tabak-Toyok	MA/nunchuku style	Philippines	Traditional
Kusari-fundo	martial art	Japan	Traditional
Slapjack/blackjack	Improvised	?	era?
Loaded sock	improvised/civilian	widespread	era?

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Oddities/Hard to classify

Just too fantastic to believe, but there is truth in it

shirts

Oddballs/Weapon	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Nine-toothed Rake	Historic	China	Mythic?
Tessen/fighting fan	martial art	Japan	era
Emeici/Emei daggers	Martial art	China	Traditional
Beer bottle/broken	Improvised	Bars	era?
Fire hoop/torch wheel	War	Europe	Medieval
Trump/Fire lance	War (black-powder torch)	Europe	Medieval
Bulgarian umbrella	Assassination	?	era?
Brace blade	Fantastic	?	era?
Siangham/fighting arrow	Martial art	Malaysia	era?
Yo-yo/meteor hammer	Fantastic	Japan/Anime	Modern
Electroshock weapon	Peace keeping	Universal	Modern

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Throwing objects

Uses nothing but old fashioned muscle power, but may utilize a tool for extra leverage

Slings/atlatls/device aided

A tool extends the radius of the arm for extra mechanical advantage

Skirmish weapon/Hunting, pelting	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Sling	Bullet launcher	Widespread	Ancient
Snapsling	hand catapult	?	Ancient
Home-made sling.
Atlatl	Arrow-like dart/spear launcher	?	Prrehistoric
Hulche/one of many atlatl type devises	Arrow-like dart	?	Prehistoric
Woomera	Spear-launcher	Australia	Ancient/Tradition
Swiss arrow	?	Europe	era?

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Shurikens/grenades

• Knife throwing – Overview – Info

Anything intended for throwing; from specially balanced blades, to clay pots, and heavy sticks

shuriken/harassment	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Edged
Shuriken	term/Ninja	Japan	Traditional
Shaken/Kurumaken	MA/Shuriken type	Japan	Traditional
Throwing knife	Martial art	widespread	era?
Chakram/Wheel	War	India	Ancient
Kunai/T-dart	martial art/Ninja	Japan	Traditional
Mambele/T-knife	?	Africa	era?
Flechette/drop darts	War	Europe	World War II
Plumbata/dart	Skirmish	Roman	era?
Sticks
Throwing stick	War/hunt	Widespread	Ancient
Boomerang	Hunting/war/Icon	Australia	Traditional
Rungu	War/hunt/Icon	Massai tribe/Africa	Traditional
Valari	War/Hunt	India	Traditional
Isakela	War/Hunt	Africa(Zulu)	Traditional
Knobkierrie/throwing cane	Hunt/civilian	Africa	Traditional
Round or frangible
Grenade	War/Term	Widespread	Ancient china/Modern
Molotov cocktail/incendiary	Skirmishing	Widespread	era?

Anything intended for throwing; from specially balanced blades, to clay pots, and heavy sticks

shuriken/harassment	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Edged
Shuriken	term/Ninja	Japan	Traditional
Shaken/Kurumaken	MA/Shuriken type	Japan	Traditional
Throwing knife	Martial art	widespread	era?
Chakram/Wheel	War	India	Ancient
Kunai/T-dart	martial art/Ninja	Japan	Traditional
Mambele/T-knife	?	Africa	era?
Flechette/drop darts	War	Europe	World War II
Plumbata/dart	Skirmish	Roman	era?
Sticks
Throwing stick	War/hunt	Widespread	Ancient
Boomerang	Hunting/war/Icon	Australia	Traditional
Rungu	War/hunt/Icon	Massai tribe/Africa	Traditional
Valari	War/Hunt	India	Traditional
Isakela	War/Hunt	Africa(Zulu)	Traditional
Knobkierrie/throwing cane	Hunt/civilian	Africa	Traditional
Round or frangible
Grenade	War/Term	Widespread	Ancient china/Modern
Stinkpot/clay jar	Distraction	High seas	era?
Sting pot/bees,wasps,scorpions	Harassment	Siege	era?
Firepot/clay jar	Incendiary	High seas	era?
Metsubushi/Cascaron/Black egg	improvised/Ninja	Japan & others	era?
Chains/ropes- (leave the hand)
Bolas	Hunting/Snare	Spain	era?
Manriki/throwing chain	MA/Ninja	Japan	era?

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Ranged weapons

Objects launched by an engine/device held in hand that impart a velocity unattainable if thrown

Bows/Cross-bows

• Composite bow – overview
• Crossbow – overview

A sharp tip attached to a shaft (appearing as a mini spear); launched by a string under tension created by a spring-like object.

Bows/arrow launcher	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Draw bows
Bow & arrow
Holmegaard	Hunt/War	Denmark	Mesolithic-Bronze Age
Gungdo/composite	War	Korea	era?
Yumi	War/Term	Japan	Ancient
Azusayumi	Ceremony	Japan	era?
English longbow	War/Hunt	England	Medieval
Perso-Parthian bow/composite	War	Persia	era?
Mongol bow	War/Hunt	Mongolia	era?
Hungarian bow /(magyar)	War	Hungary	era?
Turkish bow	Cavalry archer/Flight archery	Central Asia	era?
Cross bows/Bolt launcher
Arbalest	War	Europe	Medieval
Skåne Lockbow	Hunt/war	Sweden	16th century
Scorpio /Triggerfish	War	Roman	Antiquity
Gastraphetes	War	Greek	era?

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Blow guns and other Ejecters

Propelled/bullet, darts	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Blow gun	Hunting	region	era
Y shot	Hunting/Sport	Widespread	Modern
Fukiya/blowgun	MA/ninja	Japan	Traditional
Spit ball/straw & wet wad	Vexing others	Schools	?
Paper wasp	vexing others	schools	?

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Firearms/muskets

Projectiles often formed from lead and in various shapes; launched by a device using the force of expanding gas created from the burning of black powder (gunpowder) contained in a semi-sealed tube

• Gunpowder – overview—Learn about this amazing compound.
• Muskets – overview—Learn about Muzzle loaders.
• Carbine – overview—concerning article
• Single-shot—concerning article
• Category:Firearm components—general info.
• Category:Early firearms—more information
• matchlock—trigger type
• Doglock—trigger type
• Flintlock—trigger type
• snaplock—trigger type
• wheellock—trigger type

Pistols/short barrel

• Hand cannon – overview—learn about the first guns
• Handgun – overview – what constitutes a handgun..Main article

held in one hand; easily concealable and transportable

Guns/Killing	Description brief	Region of association	Era of association
"Hand bombard", France, 1390-1400. Hand cannon from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).
Fire lance	Distraction/War	China	era?
Huochong	bamboo protogun	China	era?
Fire arrow	A deadly bottle rocket	China	era?
Blunderbuster	wide mouth musket	High seas	era?
Pistol sword	Novelty	Europe	era?
Gun umbrella	Civilian	France	1880
Cane gun	Civilian	?	era?
Petronel	proto pistol and carbine	?	16th or 17th centuries
Culverin/hand cannon	proto-musket	Europe	15th-16th centuries
Hand Bombard/hand cannon	fired stone balls	Europe	Medieval

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Shouldered guns/long barrel

• List of Springfield rifles/muskets

long barrel for accuracy and range but requires two hands to steady it

style/use	Description brief	Region of association	Era of association
musketeers in drill formation
Musketoon	short barrel	?	era?
Rifled musket	accuracy innovation	?	19th century?
Wall gun	required a rest	?	16th-18th centuries?
Gingal/wall gun	it's big	China/India	19th century
Brown bess/musket	British musket	?	1722–1838
Jezail/musket	Muslim lands	Middle East	era?
Charleville musket	accurate but small calibre	Canada	1700s-1800s
Arquebus/musket	Low velocity	Canada	15th-17th centuries
Caliver	Arquebus derived	?	16th century
Elephant gun	large calibre big-game	?	1800s
Potato gun/hairspray cannon	Wear eye protection	?	Modern

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Bullets/Missiles/Projectiles

• Ammunition—general info

A launcher is useless without its companion weapon

Missile name	Launcher	Description brief
Sling bullet	sling shot	a sizeable round stone or pebble
Dart (missile)	blow gun	a sharp thorn attached to a bead or feathers
arrow	bow	dagger tip on a wooden shaft and flight feathers
Quarrel/Bolt	cross bow	like an arrow minus the fletching
flechette	musket	edged debris, flak fired from muzzle loader
Bullet	guns	many forms
Lead shot/buck shot	shotgun	a number of tiny metal pellets
Shotgun slug	gun	cylindrical lead projectile
buck and ball	gun	numerous tiny balls with one big one
ball ammunition	gun	conical lead projectile
pellet (air gun)	air gun/blow gun	.
BB	gas gun	tiny metal ball singularly fired

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Passive weapons/Anti personnel/Area denial

Set it and forget it

Boobytraps/Hold Territory	Martial use	Region of association	Era of association
Caltrops	Anti-cavalry	?	era?
Punji stick	Area denial	Asia	era?
Scalder/Scorcher	War	?	Antiquity(+)
Grappling hook/Grapnel	naval warfare	High seas	era?
Sudis (stake)	Field fort	Roman	era?

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Armor

• Armour – overview – Types and history
• Mail armour – overview – Types and history.
• Ringmail – overview – What is ringmail?
• Chinese armour – overview – Style and history.
• Components of medieval armour—An alternate table.

Gothic plate armour

Anything worn for protection but not considered as typical clothing

Head/face

helms, skullcaps, visors, torques

Helms, masks/head protection	Description brief	Region of association	Era of association
Casque/visored helm	General term
Galea	Roman term for various styles of helmets	Rome	Antiquity
Hounskull	Type of visored helm	Europe	Medieval
Kettle hat	Bowl shaped wide-brimmed steel helm	Europe	Medieval(+)
Capeline/lobster pot	Archer's skullcap	England	Medieval
Spangenhelm	Conical helmet with cheek-plates	Europe	Medieval
Morion	High crest helm iconic of conquistadors	Spain	16th-17th centuries
Pot helmet	pot shaped and sometimes crested or plumed	.	6th century BC
Coppergate Helmet	RELIC Spangenhelm
Sutton Hoo helmet	RELIC Viking style helm and faceplate
Nasal helm	Skullcap with nose-guard	Europe	Medieval
Bascinet	Helm from occiput protection	Europe	Medieval
Great helm	Helm - bucket	Europe	Medieval
Visor (armor)	hinged faceplate on a helm	.	Medieval
Shelom	High pointed helm	Russia	Medieval
Kabuto	Japanese style helm, iconic of samurai
Menpō	Japanese style face mask, iconic of samurai
Corinthian helmet	signature ancient Greek style helmet	Greek	ancient
Horned helmet	Viking icon, but probably only ceremonial, however the celts have been recorded to go into battle wearing horned helms and nothing else by Roman scribes

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Torso

shirts

Breast plate/chest protecter	Description brief	Region of association	Era of association
Breastplate	Armor that protects vital areas of the chest
Plastron	chest armour used in fencing	.
Cuirass	armor that protects chest and back.
Corslet	Clamshell fitted chest protecter	.	.
Mirror armour	Armour made from large rondels linked together	china	.
Mail/linked-types
Hair-pipe breastplate	An apron of large cylindrical beads	Native America
Banded mail	Mail of contested existence reinforced with leather bands	.	.
Lorica hamata	Type of ringmail	Roman
Lorica plumata	scales attached to a mail backing	Roman
Lorica squamata	Type of scale armour	Roman
Lamellar armour	proto scale armour	.	.
Fabric armour
Linothorax	Armour made of straps sewn together	Greek
Splint armour	long strips of metal attached onto fabric backing	.	.
Jack	Plates sewn between felt and canvas layers	.	Medieval
Coat of plates	metal plates riveted or sewn to a fabric backing	.	Medieval
Scale armour	Scales sewn onto fabric	widespread	.
Gambeson	Padded armour shirts, 2-ply leather	.	Medieval
Myunjebaegab	First example of bullet-proof armour made of 13 layers of cotton	Korea	1871
Flak jacket	Metal bars sewn into pockets to protect from low velocity projectiles	.	World War II
Aketon	Padded armour undershirt	.	Medieval
Tegilay	Quilted caftan	Asia and East Europe	Medieval
plate-types
Lorica segmentata	articulated plate bands, iconic Roman armour	Roman
Plate armour	.	.	Medieval
Maximilian armour	German style plate	.	early 16th century
Lamellar armour	small plates sewn together	.
Muscle cuirass	Greek or Roman anatomical cuirass	Mediterranean	Antiquity

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shoulder and arms

Mantle/concealment	Description brief	Region of association	Era of association
Manica	Articulated plate sleeve	Roman	Antiquity
Surcoat	Recognition	.	Medieval
Mantle	mart	.	.
Chlamys	Hunt/War	Mediterranean	Antiquity
Himation	War cloak, the crimson spartan style is iconic	Mediterranean
Ailette	flat shoulder guards
Bracer	Wrist guard, used by archers	.	Traditional
Brassard	Generic term form an arm protector
Kurokote	Black gauntlet	Japan	.

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Waist and Seat

Help to ensure heirs and to attach sidearms

belts and loin cloths.

Girdle/sword tuck	Description brief	Region of association	Era of association
Cingulum militare	belt with hanging bronze studded straps to protect the groin area	Roman
Girdle	Belt not used to hold up cloths often wide and can protect the belly
Cod piece	Fashionable armor piece
Pteruges	Decorative leather skirt	Greek

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Legs

Tasslets/leg guard	Description brief	Region of association	Era of association
Puttee	Shin guard of wrapped leather	India
Greave	Shin guards of strap-on or clamshell design used before the advent of boots.	Widespread	Ancient
Bases	Armour skirts	Europe	Medieval

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Hands and Feet

protects the tendens that allow movement and gripping

Gauntlet/Boot	Description brief	Region of association	Era of association
Caligae	Hobnailed sandal	Roman	Antiquity
Jika-tabi/split toe shoe	Ninja wear	Japan	Traditional
Gauntlet	armoured glove that protects hands and wrist

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Shields

shield/block, deflect, bash	Description brief	Region of association	Era of association
Massai style shield	A small padded leather handshield of almond shape centally mounted to a staff	Africa	Traditional
Ishlangu	Oxhide strapped to a wooden spine used as a shield	Zulu/Africa	Traditional
Yetholm-type shield	Bronze Age shield from northwestern Europe, especially the British Isles	Europe	1200-800 BC
Viking-style shield	A round and flat shield made of plywood and brightly painted to disguise the grain of the wood.
Scutum	A large rectangular and convex shield used by Roman legions	Rome	Antiquity
Buckler	A small hand shield also used as a parry weapon and not good versus projectiles
Targe	Term used for shields common to Europe		Medieval
Kite shield	A large teardrop shaped shield		Medieval
Heater shield	A medium flat shield with round bottom and flat top when represented in heraldry it's called an escutcheon.		Medieval
Rondache	Medieval style roundshield		Medieval
Aspis/Hoplon	Greek word for variety of shields. Its signature style is a bronze clad wood saucer with decorative paint.	Mediterranean	Ancient
Pavise	A large convex shield similar to kiteshield in shape and used by archers as a blind.
parma	Roman round shield favored by auxiliaries
Clipeus	Greek style roundshield with a central spike	Greeks/Romans
Clipeus virtutis	A clipeus awarded to Roman soldiers as a medal of honor
Pelta	Crescent-shaped wicker shield used by javalin skirmishers	Old world	before the 3rd century BC
Adarga	Two-ply leather shield of antelope hide of various shapes	Spanish Moors
Thureos	A large oval shield	Mediterranean	3rd century BC(+)
Witham Shield	RELIC a 4th-century shield excavated in Britain
Battersea Shield	RELIC Bronze shield found in the Thames river	Britain
Prince Charlie's Targe	RELIC one of 13 ornate shields given out as trophies for supporters		c. 1745
Riot shield	A medium to large shield made of modern plastics to protect police from thrown objects		Modern

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accessories

broaches/clasps/baldrics/banners/trumps

accessory/utility	Description brief	Region of association
Full kit	blanket, camp tools strapped to a crossed pole	Roman
Vervelles	metal staples used to attach an aventail to a helm
Boiled leather	hardened leather used to fabricate armour
Sarcina	Marching pack, Pole and crosspiece used to hold gear	Roman
Baldric	Shoulder belt worn like a sash	?
Quiver	Arrow holder	?
Brooch/Fibula	Ornament, Used to fasten a cape's ends together	?
Banner	Communication/morale. Romans considered it an ill-omen to lose it.	Widespread
Oriflamme	War banner	France
Crest/plume	Ornament/Rank, Horsehair-crest feathers-panache	?
Amentum	Leather strap to throw javalin	Greece
Argive grip	Shield secure, Strap and handle off-center to utilize forearm	Greece
Enarmes	Shield straps similar to the argive grip
Guige	leather strap used to sling a shield about the body

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Armor sets

Full suit/Protection	Description brief	Region of association	Era of association
Bogu	Martial art/kendo suit consisting of pads and a wire mask	Japan	Traditional
Almain rivet	German style suit	.	15th-16th centuries
Ō-yoroi	Rich mans armour	Japan	.
Dō-maru	Japanese wrap around style suit
Kasten-brust armour	German style	Holy-Roman empire	early 15th century
Munition armour	Mass-produced plate armour	.	16th century
White armour	full body steel plate without a surcoat	England	1420(+)
Mongolian armour	influenced by Chinese and mideast style	.	.
Korean armour	style and traditions
Panoply	Fullset of ancient Greek armour
Dendra armour	RELICsurviving suite of mycenaean armour	.	15th century BC

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Terminology

• Sword
  • saif- a sword
  • Daito-Japanese for longsword
  • Dao- Chinese for a sabre
  • Jian- Chinese for a straightsword
  • Ken- Japanese for a straightsword
  • Golok (a catch-all for several types of sword and knife)
• Blade
  • serrated blade
  • ricasso- Dull edge, blade section
  • Forte- Strong blade section
  • Foible- Weak blade section
  • Fuller - blood groove, reduce weight
  • Fluke- spike/pick mounted on back of an axehead
  • Peen - hammer head
• Hilt- sword handle
  • quillon-cross guard
  • Tsuba- plate style guard
  • Habaki-Japan style rain guard
• Scabbard-Sheath, sword case
  • Shirasaya -Japan name
• Etching
  • Engraving
    • Scrimshaw
  • Horimono-Japan style
• Equipment style
  • Daisho-samurai, long & short
  • Jintachi- Mounting

List of martial art/styles

weapon play

• List of martial arts
  • Academic fencing
• List of Roman gladiator types

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