Weapons
Spontoon: A 17th-Century Pike Made It Into the American History
A spontoon was a European spear with a quadrangular or spherical blade and an inverted crossguard. Often used as a…
Boar Spear: Served as a Test of Manliness in Ancient Rome
The boar spear was a spear-like weapon popularized by the Germanic barbarians during the Roman era.
Corseque: A 14th-Century Winged Polearm of the Corsica Island
Similar weapons include the trident, ranseur, spetum, corseca, and partisan, each with their own variations in blade shape and direction…
Guisarme: Farmer’s Tool in Peace, Soldier’s Weapon in War
The guisarme was widely used in Europe as a defensive tool against bandits and wild animals and as an aggressive…
Koncerz: A Hussar Sword Without a Cutting Edge
The koncerz first emerged in the 15th century, and it was a sword without a cutting edge. Despite that, the…
Ahlspiess (Awl Pike): An Anti-Armor Spear of 15th Century
This lesser-known form of spear was widely utilized during the 15th and 16th centuries.
Kama Weapon: Farmers Used Kama to Fight Samurai’s Katana
The original use of the kama was to chop the stems of cereals and rice.
Mordhau: The “Murder Stroke” Technique as It Was Called
A hit like this didn't have to be fatal, but it did need to startle or incapacitate the opponent. The…
Lucerne Hammer: A 15th-Century Swiss Weapon of All Trades
The weapon was used by several countries, namely Switzerland, England, France, Scotland, and the Holy Roman Empire, in the regions…
Bec de Corbin: A 15th-Century Polearm Inspired by a Raven
The Bec de Corbin is a European equestrian hammer from the late Middle Ages combines the features of a stabbing…
Horseman’s Pick: A Deadly Pickaxe of Ancient Origin
Derived from a weapon used by the Turks, the horseman's pick was widely employed by the winged hussars, the elite…
Spadone: One of the Biggest Swords in History
A typical spadone weighed 5.7 lbs (2.6 kg) and had a length of up to 79 inches (200 cm).