Hand or Fist Weapons and Fans
Single handed weapons not resembling a straight dagger blade, usually wielded without wrist action, often protects the forearm.
| Name | Area | Date | |
| Gauntlets | Europe |
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| Brass Knuckles, Knuckle Dusters | Europe |
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| Cestus, Caestus, Bladed Cestus, Myrmex, Sphairai | Mediterranean |
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| Tessen, Iron Fan | Japan |
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| Korean Fan, Mu Puche, Tempered Birch Fan | Korea |
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| Tekagi-shuko, Neko-te | Japan |
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| Wind and fire wheels | China |
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| Deer Horn Knives | China |
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| Finger Knife | Africa[3] |
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| Tekko | Japan |
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| Bagh nakh | South Asia |
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| Pata, Sword Gauntlet | South Asia |
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| Katara, Suwaiya (कटार) | South Asia |
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| Push dagger | India |
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| Nyepel, Larim Fighting Bracelet | Africa[3] |
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| Madu, Maru, Buckhorn Parrying Stick | South Asia[3] |
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| Indian Parrying Weapon | India[3] |
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| Roman Scissor | Mediterranean |
| Not well attested. May have been a semicircular blade affixed to the end of a metal cylinder encasing the forearm. |
Bladed
Thrusting and Slicing weapons for close quarters melee.
Delineated as 20-28 inches/51–71 cm total length.
[1]
Straight Shortswords
| Name | Area | Date | Note |
| Bronze/Iron Sword, Celtic Sword, Celtic Dagger, Leaf-Shaped Sword, Leaf-Shaped Dagger | Europe [3] |
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| Anelace | Europe |
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| Cinquedea | Europe |
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| Khanjali, Khanjarli, Quama, Kinjal, Kama, Ottoman Quama, Cossack Dagger | Middle East[3] |
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| Bilbo | Europe |
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| Colichemarde | Europe |
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| Small sword | Europe |
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| Misericorde | Europe |
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| Baselard, Basilard | Europe |
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| Swiss Dagger, Schweizerdegen, Holbein Dagger | Europe |
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| Gladius | Europe, Mediterranean |
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| Xiphos | Mediterranean |
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Curved Shortswords
Swords
Long swords were classified by Col. Gordon as longer than 28 inches/71 cm.
[1]
Curved one-handed swords
- Kastane (Southeast Asia))
- Falchion (European)
- Dao, Zhibei dao, Beidao (Chinese)
- Yanmaodao (Chinese)
- Liuyedao (Chinese)
- Dha (Southeast Asian)
- Cutlass (European)
- Dussack, Dusack, Dysack, Dusagge, Dusegge, Dusegg, Disackn, Tesak, Tuseckn, Thuseckn (European, debated, although some list this weapon only as a wooden practice sword, others state that there are real, metal examples)[3]
- Hanger, Hangar (European)
- Backsword (European)
- Hunting sword (European)
- Großmesser, Hiebmesser (European)
- Langes messer, Kriegsmesser (European)
- Schweizersäbel (European)
- Briquet (European)
- Sabre (European)
- Karabela (European)
- Szabla (European)
- Shashka (European)
- Talwar (Middle Eastern)
- Saif (Middle Eastern)
- Nimcha (African)
- Kilij (Middle Eastern)
- Scimitar (Middle Eastern)
- Shamshir (Middle Eastern)
- Ayudha Katti (South and Southeast Asian)[3]
- Piandao (Chinese)
- Pulwar (Middle Eastern)
- Mameluke(Middle Eastern)
- Klewang (Southeast Asian)
- Kampilan (Southeast Asian)
- Krabi (Southeast Asian)
Straight one-handed swords
- Spatha (Mediterranean)
- Arming Sword, War Sword (European)
- Katzbalger (European)
- Spadroon (European)
- Flyssa (African)
- Ida (African)
- Takoba (African)
- Jian (Chinese)
- Tibetan Jian (Middle Asian)[3]
- Saingeom (Korean)
- Schiavona (European)
- Espada ropera (European)
- Firangi, Firanghi (Central Asian)[3]
- Sidesword (European)
- Epee (European - although now a fencing practice weapon, originally was a stiff, heavy, triangular-bladed thrusting sword weighing about 30oz)[4]
- Rapier (European)
- Flamberge (European)
- Longsword, Grootzwaard, Langschwert, Spadone, Spada Longa (Lunga), Montante(European)
- Estoc (European)
- Mortuary sword (European)
- Broadsword, Basket-hilted Sword, Heavy Cavalry Sword (European)
- Kaskara (African)
- Hwandudaedo (Korean)
- Khanda (South Asian)
- Claymore (European)
- Malibar Coast Sword (Southeast Asian)[3]
- Tsurugi (Japanese)
- Chokuto (Japanese)
- Ninjato (Japanese)
Curved two-handed swords
Hand-and-a-Half and Two-handed Greatswords
- Bastard Sword, Espée Bastarde, Hand-and-a-half Sword (European)
- Highland Sword, Claidheamh Da Laimh (European)[3]
- Boar Sword (European)[3]
- Assamese Dao (Indian,Southeast Asian)[3]
- Nagamaki, Nagamaki Sword (attached to sword handle, as opposed to the polearm) (Japanese) [5]
- Zanbato (Japanese)
- Nodachi (Japanese)
- Otachi (Japanese)
- Changdao (Chinese)
- Wodao (Chinese)
- Okatana (Japanese)
- Zhanmadao (Chinese)
- Dadao (Chinese)
- Espadon (European)
- Greatsword (European)
- Bihander, Dopplehänder, Doppelhander, Zweihander, Tuck, Two Handed Sword, Lowland Sword (European)
- Paratschwerter, Parade Sword (European) [3]
- Flambard, Flammard, Flammenschwert (European)
- Executioner's Sword, Sword of Justice, Heading Sword (European)
Axe-like swords
Generally concave blades with the sharpened edge running the length of the non-handle part. Used for heavy, chopping motions.
Other swords
Knives and daggers
Axe knives
Generally short, concave blades with the sharpened edge running the length of the non-handle part. Used for heavy chopping motions.
Picks and Pickaxes
- Chicken Sickles (Chinese)
- Kama (Japanese)
- Mattock (European, improvised)
- Hakapik (European)
- Pickaxe (European, improvised)
- Ankus, Ankusha, Elephant Goad, Elephant Hook, Bullhook (South and Southeast Asian)
- War hammer (European, also a blunt weapon)
- Crowbill (European, Central Asian)
- Horseman's Pick, Martel de Fer (European, also a blunt weapon)
Axes
- Hand axe (Paleolithic)
- Ovate handaxe (Paleolithic)
- Hatchet (European)
- Nzappa zap (African, also thrown)
- Tomahawk (Americas, also a thrown weapon)
- Spontoon Tomahawk (Americas)
- Congolese Ax (African)[3]
- Tabar Zin (Middle Eastern)
- Adze (European, improvised)
- Palstave (European, Bronze Age, improvised)
- Long-bearded axe (European)
- Fu (Chinese)
- Dahomey Axe Club (African, also an effective blunt weapon)[3]
- Ono (Japanese)
- Masakari (Japanese)
- Battle Axe (European)
- Broadaxe (European)
- Sagaris (Mediterranean)
- Labrys (Mediterranean)
- Doloire (European)
- Valaška (European)
- Sparth Axe (European)
- Shorter Danish Axe, Dane-axe, English Long Axe, Viking Axe, Hafted Axe (European)
- Bhuj, with blade shaped like the dagger on a long shaft[3]
- Vechevoral (Middle Asian)[3]
Trauma weapons (clubs)
Wielded with one or two hands at close quarters with swinging motions.
- Yawara, Yawara-bo (Japanese)
- Yubi-bo (Japanese)
- Pasak, Dulodulo (Southeast Asian)
- Kurunthadi, Churuvadi, Muchan, Kuruvadi (Indian)
- Eskrima Sticks, Straight Sticks (Southeast Asian)
- Cambuk (Southeast Asian)
- Clubbing Boomerang (Worldwide)
- Rungu (African, also ranged)
- Tambo, Tanbo (Okinawan)
- Hanbo (Japanese)
- Otta (Central Asian)
- Shillelagh (Irish)
- La canne (European)
- Knobkierie, Knopkierie, Knobkerry (African)
- Stone Club (Worldwide)
- Club, Cudgel, Bludgeon, Truncheon
- Jutte, Jitte (Japanese)
- Tonfa (Okinawan)
- Mere (New Zealand)
- Meremere (New Zealand)
- Kotiate (New Zealand)
- Aklys (Origin unknown)
- Waddy, Nulla Nulla (Australian)
- Macana (Americas)
- Macuahuitl, Maquahuitl (Americas)
- Patu, Patuki (New Zealand)
- Tewhatewha (New Zealand)
- Tekkan (Japanese)
- Chúi (Chinese)
- Mughal Mace (Central Asian)[3]
- Gurz, Ottoman Gurz (Middle Eastern) [3]
- Mace (European)
- Short Scepter, Mace Scepter (European)
- Flanged mace (European)
- Spiked Mace (European, Middle Asian)
- Morning star, Goedendag, Holy Water Sprinkler (European)
- Planson, Plançon a picot (European)
- Roundhead (European)
- Kanabo (Japanese)
- War hammer (European, also a pickaxe weapon)
- Horseman's Pick, Horseman's Hammer, Martel de Fer (European, also a pickaxe weapon)
- Hammer (improvised)
- Maul, Sledgehammer (European improvised)
- Otsuchi (Japanese)
Wielded with mainly with two hands, primarily for melee in sweeping, hooking, and thrusting motions. Throwing Javelins and Spears listed under Ranged, Thrown, Javelins & Spears. Organized from most axelike to most blunt or club like (poleaxe to Jo)
Staves
Polearms
- Sibat, Bangkaw, Sumbling, Palupad (Southeast Asian)
- Hasta (Mediterranean)
- Framea, Ger, Gar, Geirr, Gaizaz, Migration Period Spear (European)
- Dory Spear, Doru (Mediterranean)
- Qiang (spear) (Chinese)
- Yari (Japanese)
- Hoko (Japanese)
- Saintie (Middle Asian) [3]
- Jukjangchangbo (Korean)
- Toupjang (Korean)
- Chichang (Korean)
- Brandistock, Buttafuore, Feather Staff (European)
- Swordstaff (European)
- Yangjimochang (Korean)
- Runka, Rawcon, Ranseur (European)
- Spetum (European)
- Pike
- Ahlspiess, Awl Pike (European)
- Boar spear (European)
- Sarissa (Mediterranean)
- Lance (European)
- Dongyemochang (Korean)
- Atgeir (European)
- Pitchfork (improvised)
- Trident
- Menaulion (Mediterranean)
- Trishula (Indian, Southeast Asian)
- DaiJiChang (Korean)
- Sabarichang (Korean)
- Dangpa-chang (Korean, may also be thrown)
- Nangsun (Korean)
- Military fork (European)
Polearms with axe-like blades
- Tepoztopilli (Americas)
- Nulbjakchang (Korean)
- Ox tongue spear (European)
- Partisan, Partizan (European)
- Monk's Spade (Chinese)
- Gandasa (South Asian, improvised)
- Longer Danish Axe, Dane-axe, English Long Axe, Viking Axe, Hafted Axe (European)
- Lochaber Axe (European)
- Bardiche (European)
- Pollaxe, Poleaxe (European)
- Bec de Faucon (European)
- Ji (Chinese)
- Tongi, Two pointed, Four Pointed Tongi (South Asian)[3]
- Arbir (Southeast Asian)
- Chacing staff (European)
- Halberd (European)
- Guisarme (European)
- Fauchard (European)
- Voulge (European)
- Galgorichang (Korean)* Bill, English Bill, Bill Hook, Bill-Guisarme (European)
- Man catcher (European)
- Ngaw (Southeast Asian)
- Sodegarami (Japanese)
- Tsukubō (Japanese)
- Sasumata (Japanese)
- Dagger-Axe, Ko (Chinese)
- Glaive (European)
- Pudao (Chinese)
- Guan (Kwan) Dao (Chinese)
- Naginata (Japanese)
- Bisento (Japanese)
- Long-handled Nagamaki (Japanese)
- Two-handed Dacian Falx (Mediterranean)
- Rhomphaia (Mediterranean)
- Scythe (improvised)
- War-scythe
Polearms with spikes and hammers
Ranged
Thrown
All could be used as polearm spears, but were designed and primarily used for throwing.
Throwing Blades and Darts
All could be used also as axe weapons, but were specifically designed for throwing.
Other
[edit] Incendiary
- Wheellock, Wheel-lock, Wheel Lock, Snaplock, Snaphance, Doglock, Flintlock, or Matchlock (pre-18th century) versions of the
- Musket (Chinese, European)
- Long gun (European)
- Tu Huo Qiang (Chinese)
- Blunderbuss, Donderbus (European)
- Arquebus, Harquebus, Harkbus, Hackbut (European)
- Carbine (European)
- Huochong (Chinese).
- Pistol (European)
- Hand Cannon (Chinese, European)
- Rabauld, Ribault, Ribaudkin, Organ Gun (European)
- Fire lance (Chinese)
- Caliver (European)
- Culverin (European)
Composite projectile weapons
Having a built in gun or ranged weapon combined with some other type of weapon.
- Pistol Sword (European Sword)
- Mace Wheellock (European Mace)[3]
- War Hammer Wheellock (European Pick/Hammer)[3]
- Halberd Double Barreled Wheellock (European Halberd)[3]
- Matchlock Ax/Dagger (European Axe, Dagger, Matchlock Combination)[3]
- Carbine Ax (European Axe)[3]
- Ax Match and Wheellock (European Axe with Five barrells under a removable blade)[3]
Flexibles
Used with whipping or swinging motions, sometimes attached to another type of weapon.
- Urumi, Chuttuval (Indian)
- Smallwhips, Crops (Worldwide)
- Sjambok, Litupa, Imvubu, Kiboko, Mnigolo, Chicotte, Fimbo, Kurbash (Africa)
- Nagyka (Eastern European)
- Bullwhip, Stockwhip (Worldwide)
- Cat o' nine tails (European)
- Knout (Eastern Europe)
- Chain whip(Chinese)
- Jiujiebian (Chinese)
- Qijiebian (Chinese)
- Samjitbin (Chinese)
- Lasso, Lariat, Uurga (Americas, Chinese)
Sectional or Composite
Having multiple handles or holdable sections.
Having a heavy object attached to a flexible chain according to the article, as opposed to a flexible whip made of chain. Wielded by swinging, throwing, or projecting the end, as well as wrapping, striking, and blocking with the chain.
- Chigiriki (Japanese)
- Flail, Fleau d'armes, kriegsflegel (European)
- Cumberjung, Flail with Quoits, Double-Ended Flail (Middle Asian)[3]
- Kyoketsu shoge (Japanese)
- Manriki-gusari, Manrikigusari (Japanese)
- Kusari-fundo (Japanese)
- Kusari-gama (Japanese)
- Meteor Hammer, Sheng bao, Liu Xing Chui, Dai Chui, Flying Hammer, Dragon's Fist (Chinese)
- Rope Dart, Rope Javelin, Sheng Biao, Jouhyou (Chinese, Japanese)
- Flying claws (Chinese)
- Surujin, Suruchin (Okinawan)
- Slungshot (European, Chinese, Japanese, improvised, not to be confused with a slingshot)
Used not only to block strikes and missiles but also swung outwardly to strike an opponent or in quick upward motions, or used to rush an opponent (known as shield bashing). Some shields had spikes, sharp edges, or other offensive designs.
