Yawara
It is a wooden cylinder, 10 - 15 centimeters long and approximately 3 centimeters in diameter. Yawara is wrapped around the fingers, and its ends protrude on both sides of the fist. It serves to make the blow heavier and stronger. Allows you to strike with the ends of the ends, mainly in the centers of nerve bundles, tendons and ligaments.
Yawara is a Japanese weapon that has two appearance versions. According to one of them, the Japanese brass knuckles are like a symbol of faith, which was an attribute of Buddhist monks - vijra. This is a small shaft, reminiscent of an image of lightning, which the monks used not only for ritual purposes, but also as a weapon, since they needed to have it. The second version is the most plausible. An ordinary pestle, which was used for pounding cereals or seasonings in a mortar, became the prototype of the yawara.
Nunchaku
It consists of sticks or metal tubes about 30 cm long connected to each other using a chain or rope. The prototype of homemade weapons was the flails used to thresh rice.
In Japan, threshing flails were considered tools of labor and did not pose a danger to enemy soldiers, so they were not confiscated from peasants.
Sai
This is a piercing bladed bladed weapon of the stiletto type, outwardly similar to a trident with a short shaft (maximum one and a half palm widths) and an elongated middle prong. The traditional weapon of the inhabitants of Okinawa (Japan) and is one of the main types of Kobudo weapons. The side teeth form a kind of guard and can also perform a damaging role due to sharpening.
Unusual weapons of antiquity It is believed that the prototype of the weapon was a pitchfork for carrying bales of rice straw or a tool for loosening the soil.
Kusarigama
Kusarigama (kusarikama) is a traditional Japanese weapon consisting of a sickle (kama) and a chain (kusari) that connects it to a striking weight (fundo). The location where the chain is attached to the sickle varies from the end of its handle to the base of the kama blade.
Unusual weapons of antiquity Kusarigama is considered to be a medieval invention of the ninja, the prototype of which was an ordinary agricultural sickle, which peasants used to harvest crops, and soldiers used to cut their way through tall grass and other vegetation during campaigns. There is an opinion that the appearance of the kusarigama was determined by the need to disguise weapons as non-suspicious objects, in this case an agricultural implement.
Odachi
Odachi (“big sword”) is a type of Japanese long sword. To be called an odachi, a sword must have a blade length of at least 3 shaku (90.9 cm), however, as with many other Japanese sword terms, there is no exact definition of the length of an odachi. Usually odachi are swords with blades 1.6 - 1.8 meters.
Unusual weapons of antiquity The Odachi completely fell out of use as a weapon after the Osaka-Natsuno-Jin War. The Bakufu government passed a law according to which it was forbidden to have a sword of more than a certain length. After the law went into effect, many odachi were trimmed to conform to the regulations. This is one of the reasons why odachi are so rare.
Naginata
Known in Japan at least since the 11th century. Then this weapon meant a long blade from 0.6 to 2.0 m long, mounted on a handle 1.2-1.5 m long. In the upper third, the blade expanded slightly and bent, but the handle itself had no curvature at all or was barely outlined. At that time, they worked with naginata using wide movements, holding one hand almost at the very blade. The naginata shaft had an oval cross-section, and the blade with one-sided sharpening, like the blade of the Japanese yari spear, was usually worn in a sheath or sheath.
Unusual weapons of antiquity Later, by the 14th-15th centuries, the naginata blade was somewhat shortened and took on its modern shape. Nowadays, the classic naginata has a shaft 180 cm long, onto which a blade 30-70 cm long is attached (60 cm is considered standard). The blade is separated from the shaft by a ring-shaped guard, and sometimes also by metal crossbars - straight or curved upward. Such crossbars (Japanese hadome) were also used on spears to parry enemy blows. The blade of a naginata resembles the blade of an ordinary samurai sword; sometimes this is what was mounted on such a shaft, but usually the blade of a naginata is heavier and more curved.
Qatar
The Indian weapon gave its owner wolverine claws; the blade lacked only the strength and cutting ability of adamant. At first glance, the katar is a single blade, but when the lever on the handle is pressed, this blade splits into three - one in the middle and two on the sides.
Unusual weapons of antiquityThree blades not only make the weapon effective, but also intimidate the enemy. The shape of the handle makes it easy to block blows. But it is also important that the triple blade can cut through any Asian armor.
Urumi
A long (usually about 1.5 m) strip of extremely flexible steel attached to a wooden handle.
Unusual weapons of antiquity The excellent flexibility of the blade made it possible to wear the urumi secretly under clothing, wrapping it around the body.
Tekkokagi
A device in the form of claws attached to the outside (tekkokagi) or inside (tekagi, shuko) of the palm of the hand. They were one of the favorite tools, but, to a greater extent, weapons in the arsenal of the ninja.
Unusual weapons of antiquity Usually these “claws” were used in pairs, in both hands. With their help, it was possible not only to quickly climb a tree or wall, hang from a ceiling beam or turn around a clay wall, but also with high efficiency to resist a warrior with a sword or other long weapon.
Chakram
The Indian throwing weapon “chakra” may well serve as a clear illustration of the saying “everything ingenious is simple.” The chakra is a flat metal ring, sharpened along the outer edge. The diameter of the ring on surviving specimens varies from 120 to 300 mm or more, width from 10 to 40 mm, thickness from 1 to 3.5 mm.
Unusual weapons of antiquity One of the ways to throw chakram was to unwind the ring on the index finger, and then with a sharp movement of the wrist throw the weapon at the enemy.
Skissor
the weapon was used in gladiatorial combat in the Roman Empire. The metal cavity at the base of the scissor covered the gladiator's hand, which made it possible to easily block blows and also deliver his own. Scissor was made of solid steel and was 45 cm long. It was surprisingly light, which made it possible to strike quickly.
Kpinga
A throwing knife used by experienced warriors of the Azanda tribe. They lived in Nubia, a region of Africa that includes northern Sudan and southern Egypt. This knife was up to 55.88 cm long and had 3 blades with a base in the center. The blade closest to the hilt was shaped like male genitals and represented the masculine power of its owner.
Unusual weapons of antiquity The very design of the kpinga blades increased the chances of hitting the enemy as hard as possible upon contact. When the owner of the knife got married, he presented the kpinga as a gift to the family of his future wife.
Humanity.
Brass knuckles “Deer Antlers”
Lujiaodao - paired brass knuckles-knives in the shape of two crossed crescents (less often - just rings with a pointed edge, which many classify as a separate type of fist weapon). According to legend, Dong Haichuan, a tax collector and part-time creator of the Baguazhang school of kung fu, relied on this weapon as the best way to protect himself during long journeys. Students are allowed to use lujiaodao only after many years of training - in the hands of an inept fighter, the weapon can cause a lot of harm to its owner.
Tiger Claw Bagh Nakh
Let's talk about fighting claws. First on our list is a guest from India, who is popularly nicknamed “tiger claw”. Despite their sinister appearance, these close-combat weapons were primarily used for ceremonial purposes. It was common in the Mysore region of India in the 1700s, where it became an attribute of adherents of the cult of the tiger goddess. This type of brass knuckles consisted of 4-5 pointed curved blades, imitating a tiger paw and attached to a transverse crossbar. In combat, the weapon could tear skin and muscle, leaving long, bleeding cuts, but it was poorly suited for causing lethal damage.
Tekko
The Iron Fist of Okinawa was traditionally made of wood and metal. Three blunt pins were usually attached to the crescent that protected the fingers, with which they tried to hit the ribs, collarbones, joints and other vulnerable points.
Tekko-kagi is his close relative, but with a more professional bent. These shinobi weapons have become widespread in popular culture; let us recall, for example, the main antagonist of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, Shredder. Long (10-30 cm) steel claws really make a strong impression: first of all, they are intimidating weapons, designed for the effect of surprise. However, its combat characteristics are also quite good: with metal strips, pointed at the ends and located in such a way as to effectively protect the owner’s hand, it is quite difficult to inflict lethal wounds. But it’s easy to mutilate an attacker and make him bleed from deep cuts!
Shuko
Shuko is another type of fighting claw ("tekagi" or "hand hook") used by shinobi. Unlike other types, here the sharp spikes are located on the inside of the palm, while the hand is protected from them by tightly rolled steel strips and leather straps.
The main purpose of shuko, however, is not combat - they were primarily used to cling more strongly to the surface while climbing trees and walls. Even after years of training, a person cannot hang on branches and trunks for too long, and grappling hooks went some way to solving this problem during ambushes and reconnaissance missions.
The combat use of shuko today is taught in the Togakure-ryu school of hand-to-hand combat. Basically, they are used in the same way as other claws - for sudden attacks, when the fighter tries to slash the enemy's face and neck. Due to the shape of the hooks, wounds inflicted by shuko do not heal for a long time and leave ugly scars for life.
Khevsur rings
As a dessert - satiteni, Khevsur fighting rings, which were worn on the thumb. They were mainly used during shuguli - a duel between Khevsur men, where the main goal was not to kill or injure, but to prove to the enemy their martial art. Such weapons are not exclusive and are widespread throughout the Caucasus.
The purpose of the ring is determined by its striking edge. In total, there are three main varieties: satsemi (for delivering pushing blows), mchreli (for delivering cutting blows) and mnatsravi (for scratching and stabbing blows).
Sometimes the Khevsurs used an auxiliary ring “sachike”, which was either welded to the main one or worn separately. On the inside, raw wax was usually applied or a cloth pad was wrapped to protect the finger from injury.
In the history of the development of weapons, there were many rather strange and unusual specimens, which, although not so universally, were quite successfully used in battle, like the more common swords, daggers, spears, axes, bows and much more. We will talk further about little-known and unusual weapons of antiquity.
Yawara
It is a wooden cylinder, 10 - 15 centimeters long and approximately 3 centimeters in diameter. Yawara is wrapped around the fingers, and its ends protrude on both sides of the fist. It serves to make the blow heavier and stronger. Allows you to strike with the ends of the ends, mainly in the centers of nerve bundles, tendons and ligaments.
Yawara is a Japanese weapon that has two appearance versions. According to one of them, the Japanese brass knuckles are like a symbol of faith, which was an attribute of Buddhist monks - vijra. This is a small shaft, reminiscent of an image of lightning, which the monks used not only for ritual purposes, but also as a weapon, since they needed to have it. The second version is the most plausible. An ordinary pestle, which was used for pounding cereals or seasonings in a mortar, became the prototype of the yawara.
Nunchaku
It consists of sticks or metal tubes about 30 cm long connected to each other using a chain or rope. The prototype of homemade weapons was the flails used to thresh rice.
In Japan, threshing flails were considered tools of labor and did not pose a danger to enemy soldiers, so they were not confiscated from peasants.
Sai
This is a piercing bladed bladed weapon of the stiletto type, outwardly similar to a trident with a short shaft (maximum one and a half palm widths) and an elongated middle prong. The traditional weapon of the inhabitants of Okinawa (Japan) and is one of the main types of Kobudo weapons. The side teeth form a kind of guard and can also perform a damaging role due to sharpening.
It is believed that the prototype of the weapon was a pitchfork for carrying bales of rice straw or a tool for loosening the soil.
Kusarigama
Kusarigama (kusarikama) is a traditional Japanese weapon consisting of a sickle (kama) and a chain (kusari) that connects it to a striking weight (fundo). The location where the chain is attached to the sickle varies from the end of its handle to the base of the kama blade.
Kusarigama is considered to be a medieval ninja invention, the prototype of which was an ordinary agricultural sickle, which peasants used to harvest crops, and soldiers used to cut their way through tall grass and other vegetation during campaigns. There is an opinion that the appearance of the kusarigama was determined by the need to disguise weapons as non-suspicious objects, in this case an agricultural implement.
Odachi
Odachi (“big sword”) is a type of Japanese long sword. To be called an odachi, a sword must have a blade length of at least 3 shaku (90.9 cm), however, as with many other Japanese sword terms, there is no exact definition of the length of an odachi. Usually odachi are swords with blades 1.6 - 1.8 meters.
Odachi completely fell out of use as a weapon after the Osaka-Natsuno-Jin War. The Bakufu government passed a law according to which it was forbidden to have a sword over a certain length. After the law went into effect, many odachi were trimmed to conform to the regulations. This is one of the reasons why odachi are so rare.
Naginata
Known in Japan at least since the 11th century. Then this weapon meant a long blade from 0.6 to 2.0 m long, mounted on a handle 1.2-1.5 m long. In the upper third, the blade expanded slightly and bent, but the handle itself had no curvature at all or was barely outlined. At that time, they worked with naginata using wide movements, holding one hand almost at the very blade. The naginata shaft had an oval cross-section, and the blade with one-sided sharpening, like the blade of the Japanese yari spear, was usually worn in a sheath or sheath.
Later, by the 14th-15th centuries, the naginata blade was somewhat shortened and acquired its modern shape. Nowadays, the classic naginata has a shaft 180 cm long, onto which a blade 30-70 cm long is attached (60 cm is considered standard). The blade is separated from the shaft by a ring-shaped guard, and sometimes also by metal crossbars - straight or curved upward. Such crossbars (Japanese hadome) were also used on spears to parry enemy blows. The blade of a naginata resembles the blade of an ordinary samurai sword; sometimes this is what was mounted on such a shaft, but usually the blade of a naginata is heavier and more curved.
Qatar
The Indian weapon gave its owner wolverine claws; the blade lacked only the strength and cutting ability of adamant. At first glance, the katar is a single blade, but when the lever on the handle is pressed, this blade splits into three - one in the middle and two on the sides.
Three blades not only make the weapon effective, but also intimidate the enemy. The shape of the handle makes it easy to block blows. But it is also important that the triple blade can cut through any Asian armor.
Urumi
A long (usually about 1.5 m) strip of extremely flexible steel attached to a wooden handle.
The excellent flexibility of the blade made it possible to wear the urumi concealed under clothing, wrapping it around the body.
Tekkokagi
A device in the form of claws attached to the outside (tekkokagi) or inside (tekagi, shuko) of the palm of the hand. They were one of the favorite tools, but, to a greater extent, weapons in the arsenal of the ninja.
Usually these "claws" were used in pairs, in both hands. With their help, it was possible not only to quickly climb a tree or wall, hang from a ceiling beam or turn around a clay wall, but also with high efficiency to resist a warrior with a sword or other long weapon.
Chakram
The Indian throwing weapon “chakra” may well serve as a clear illustration of the saying “everything ingenious is simple.” The chakra is a flat metal ring, sharpened along the outer edge. The diameter of the ring on surviving specimens varies from 120 to 300 mm or more, width from 10 to 40 mm, thickness from 1 to 3.5 mm.
One way to throw chakram was to spin the ring on the index finger, and then with a sharp movement of the wrist throw the weapon at the enemy.
Skissor
the weapon was used in gladiatorial combat in the Roman Empire. The metal cavity at the base of the scissor covered the gladiator's hand, which made it possible to easily block blows and also deliver his own. Scissor was made of solid steel and was 45 cm long. It was surprisingly light, which made it possible to strike quickly.
Kpinga
A throwing knife used by experienced warriors of the Azanda tribe. They lived in Nubia, a region of Africa that includes northern Sudan and southern Egypt. This knife was up to 55.88 cm long and had 3 blades with a base in the center. The blade closest to the hilt was shaped like male genitals and represented the masculine power of its owner.
The very design of the kpinga blades increased the chances of hitting the enemy as hard as possible upon contact. When the owner of the knife got married, he presented the kpinga as a gift to the family of his future wife.
The task of classical weapons is to perform defensive or offensive actions. Since the Stone Age, humanity has evolved to create models whose purpose was both specific and unique. Thus, the masters of antiquity developed special unusual edged weapons.
How did it all begin?
The history of edged weapons stretches back to the Paleolithic. Products of that time were widely used during hunting and in internecine battles. These are clubs and clubs. Daggers and knives were also created. Stone products were soon replaced by flint and bone ones. The first edged weapon of the Paleolithic was the bow, which at that time was considered the most advanced of all types of weapons and was indispensable both in hunting and in battle. With the discovery of copper and bronze, swords, maces, knives and daggers were created. A new era of edged weapons began during the era of the Roman Empire, when the main role in battles was given to the saber.
Edged weapons of the Middle Ages
In the 9th century, the evolution of the weapons of European countries was influenced by their geographical location. Due to the similarity of folk cultures, the technologies for creating edged weapons by craftsmen from different countries had much in common. The legacy of the Roman Empire made a significant contribution to this process. Also, European countries borrowed some elements of Asian weapons. Melee weapons of the Middle Ages, used in close combat, were classified according to the principle of action. As it was in ancient times.
Types of bladed weapons
Historians distinguish the following types of edged weapons:
- Shock. It includes a mace, a club, a club, a chain, a flail and a pole.
- Pricking. This type of bladed weapon can be hand-held (dirks, daggers, rapiers, stilettos and swords) or polearm (spears, pikes, spears and tridents).
- Chopping. It includes: a battle axe, a scythe and a sword.
- Piercing-cutting: saber, scimitar, halberd.
- Piercing and cutting. It includes various
Manufacturing
Expanding knowledge about the properties of metal and technologies for working with it gave gunsmiths the opportunity to experiment. Very often, weapons were made to order. This explains the presence of a large number of products of various shapes and properties. The development of gunsmithing was influenced by the emergence of manufacturing production: special attention of gunsmiths was now paid to combat qualities, and not to the decorative component. Nevertheless, ancient edged weapons are not without their individuality. Each such product, depending on the workshop in which it was made, had its own special feature: markings or stamps.
Any model is made for a specific purpose: for defense or offense. There are also unusual melee weapons designed to cause the enemy as much pain as possible. The geography of such creations by masters is very wide. It covers territories from Asia to Egypt and India.
What is khopesh?
This unusual bladed weapon is a sickle, based on Sumerian and Assyrian swords and axes. Khopesh was produced in Ancient Egypt.
Iron or bronze was used for work. In its design, this unusual bladed weapon had a wooden handle and a sickle, which made it possible to disarm an enemy by clinging to a shield. Also, with the help of khopesh, chopping, piercing and cutting blows were carried out. The design of the product ensured the efficiency of its use.
The khopesh was mainly used as an ax. It is very difficult to prevent a blow from such a bladed weapon; in addition, it is capable of breaking through any obstacle. In the entire blade, only its outer edge was subject to sharpening. Khopesh easily pierced the chain mail. The reverse side was capable of piercing a helmet.
Unusual Indian dagger
An unusual bladed weapon was created on Indian territory - the Qatar. This product is a type of dagger. This unique bladed weapon differs from daggers in that its handle is shaped like the letter "H" and is made of the same material as the blade.
As a support for the hand, the catarrh has two parallel thin bars. Used as being able to pierce chain mail. Possession of a catarrh indicated the high status of a warrior.
Ancient Nubian throwing knife
Klinga - this is the name given to the unusual bladed weapon used by the warriors of the Azanda tribe, which was located on the territory of ancient Nubia. This product is a throwing knife consisting of several blades.
The blade size was 550 mm. The design of this bladed weapon consisted of three blades extending in different directions from the handle. Klinga was intended to inflict the most painful blows on the enemy. The Nubian served as a very effective weapon. In addition, it was a distinctive sign confirming the high status of the owner. Klinga was used only by experienced and honored warriors.
Unique Chinese crossbow
Before the conflict with Japan (1894-1895), the warriors of China were equipped with a unique and very formidable weapon of that time - the cho-ko-nu repeating crossbow. This product used tension and release of the bowstring. The whole structure worked with one hand: the bowstring was pulled, the bolt fell into the barrel and a descent was made. Cho-ko-nu was a very effective and fast weapon: within twenty seconds, a Chinese warrior could fire about ten arrows. The distance for which this crossbow was intended reached 60 meters. In terms of its penetrating ability, cho-ko-nu gave low indicators. But at the same time, the weapon had high speed. Various poisons were often applied to the arrow tips, which made the cho-ko-nu a truly deadly weapon. If we compare this ancient Chinese product with modern similar models, then in its simplicity of design, rate of fire and ease of use, the cho-ko-nu has much in common with the Kalashnikov assault rifle.
What are macuahutl and tepupigli?
Macuahutl - this is the name given to the one used in battles by the Aztecs. In addition to the material from which it was made, the macuahutl differed from other similar weapons in the presence of pointed pieces. They were located along the entire length of the wooden blade. The size of the sword ranged from 900 to 1200 mm. Due to this, the wounds from the macuahutl were especially terrible: pieces of glass tore the flesh, and the sharpness of the blade itself was enough to cut off the enemy’s head.
Tepuspillies are another formidable weapon of the Aztecs. In its design, this product resembled a spear, consisting of a tip and a handle. The length of the handle reached the height of a person. The palm-sized blade, like the macuahutl, is equipped with very sharp pieces of obsidian. Compared to the Aztec wooden sword, the spear had a larger blast radius. A successful blow from a tepusaw could easily pierce a person's armor and body. The design of the tip was designed in such a way that if it entered the flesh of an enemy, the tip could not be immediately removed from the wound. According to the gunsmiths, the serrated shape of the tip was supposed to cause the enemy as much suffering as possible.
Non-lethal Japanese kakute
War rings or kakute are considered unique military items that were widely used by warriors in Japan. Kakute is a small hoop that covers the finger. The Japanese combat ring is equipped with one or three riveted spikes. Each warrior used predominantly no more than two such battle rings. One of them was worn on the thumb, and the other on the middle or index finger.
Most often, the kakute was worn on the finger with the spines inward. They were used in situations where it was necessary to capture and hold the enemy or inflict minor damage. Combat rings with spikes turned outward became serrated brass knuckles. The main task of the kakute is to suppress the enemy. These Japanese fighting rings were very popular among ninjas. Kunoichi (female ninjas) treated kakute spines with poisons, which gave them the ability to carry out fatal attacks.
Gladiator's Armlet
In ancient Rome, during gladiatorial fights, participants used a special armlet, which was also called a scissor. This unique metal product was worn at one end on the gladiator's hand, and the other end was a semicircular point. Scissor did not weigh down the hand, since it was very light. The length of the gladiator armlet was 450 mm. Skissor gave the warrior the opportunity to block and strike. Wounds from such metal armlets were not fatal, but were very painful. Each missed blow with a semicircular tip was fraught with profuse bleeding.
The history of ancient peoples knows many more types of unusual, specific weapons, which were made by ancient craftsmen in order to cause the enemy as much suffering as possible and were particularly sophisticated and effective.
Since humanity invented firearms, thousands of different types and modifications have been created. Some of them developed into modern models, but most were completely forgotten. If you dig a little, you can find some truly interesting non-standard samples among them.
How about an almost artillery barrel for duck hunting? Trap guns against cemetery thieves? The fantasy of firearms developers continues to this day, but in past centuries it definitely flourished more brightly.
Clarifier it was mounted on small boats and, as the name suggests, was intended for shooting ducks. On an industrial scale, so to speak, and certainly not to miss. A volley of shot from this monster could kill 50 ducks at a time.
Duck foot pistol continues the duck theme, although it was named so solely because of its unique shape. He could fire from all barrels at the same time, which was greatly appreciated by captains on military and pirate ships when it was necessary to suppress the rebellion of an unruly crew.
Air rifle Girandoni was one of the most outstanding Italian guns of the 18th century. Not being a “firearm” in the literal sense of the word, this gun fired very real bullets and hit a target at a distance of up to 150 steps.
Revolver Le Ma- the brainchild of engineer Jean Alexandre Le Mas, developed by him in 1856. The main feature of the weapon was the ability to transform a nine-shot revolver into a single-shot shotgun with one movement of the hand. Used by the CSA during the American Civil War.
"Cemetery Guns" were popular in the 18th and 19th centuries as a remedy against grave robbers. They buried themselves over the coffins, and the unlucky robber who stepped into the trap was shot at point-blank range.
Gyrojet- a type of gun that fired rockets instead of bullets, the most famous was the pistol of the same name. Mini-missiles were quiet and indeed effective at long ranges, but were otherwise inferior to bullets.
Gun Pakla- one of the first ancestors of the machine gun, created in 1718. It was an ordinary flintlock gun with an 11-round cylindrical drum, where each new shot was fired as in a revolver.
Borckhardt K93- the world's first self-loading pistol, developed in 1893 and put into mass production. Despite its extremely unusual shape, it was valued for its high reliability and excellent ballistic characteristics.
Pistol buckle, disguised as a regular belt buckle, was used by high-ranking members of the SS during World War II. If captured, they could use it to try to escape or commit suicide.
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