List of premodern combat weapons

This is a list of historical weapons, divided into categories of melee weapons and ranged weapons. They are further subdivided by weapon type and then ordered alphabetically. Although primarily consisting of cold weapons, early gunpowder weapons are also included.

Weapons are grouped according to their uses, with rough classes set aside for very similar weapons. Some weapons may fit more than one category (e.g. the spear may be used either as a pole weapon or as a projectile). Bladed hilt weapons follow Col. D.H. Gordon's classification where applicable.

Hand or fist weapons and fans
Single-handed weapons not resembling a straight dagger blade, usually wielded without wrist action; often protects the forearm.


 * Bagh nakh, tiger claws (Indian subcontinent)
 * Brass Knuckles, knuckle dusters (Europe)
 * Cestus, bladed cestus, caestus, myrmex, sphairai (Mediterranean)
 * Deer horn knives (China)
 * Finger knife (Africa)
 * Gauntlets (Europe)
 * Indian parrying weapon (India)
 * Katar, Suwaiya (कटार) (South Asia)
 * Korean fan, Mubuchae (무부채), tempered birch fan (Korea)
 * Madu, buckhorn parrying stick, Maru (South Asia)
 * Nyepel, Larim fighting bracelet (Africa)
 * Pata, sword gauntlet (South Asia)
 * Push dagger, also see Katar (dagger) (India)
 * Roman scissor (Mediterranean; not well attested. May have been a semicircular blade affixed to the end of a metal cylinder encasing the forearm.)
 * Tekko (Japan)
 * Tessen, iron fan (Japan)
 * Wind and fire wheels (China)
 * Emei daggers (China)

Bladed
Thrusting and slicing weapons for close quarters melee.

Shortswords
Delineated as 20-28 inches/51–71 cm total length.

Straight shortswords

 * Baselard (Europe)
 * Bilbo (Europe)
 * Bronze/iron sword, Celtic dagger, Celtic sword, leaf-shaped dagger, leaf-shaped sword (Europe)
 * Bolo (Philippines/Southeast Asia)
 * Cinquedea, Anelace (Europe)
 * Khanjali Georgia (Caucasus)
 * Colichemarde (Europe)
 * Cossack dagger, kama, kinjal, Ottoman quama, quama (Middle East)
 * Gladius (Europe, Mediterranean)
 * Misericorde (Europe)
 * Small sword (Europe)
 * Swiss dagger, Holbein dagger, Schweizerdegen (Europe)
 * Xiphos (Mediterranean)

Curved shortswords

 * Aikuchi, Haikuchi (Japan)
 * Barong (Southeast Asia)
 * Kodachi, Chisakatana (Japan)
 * Pinuti (Southeast Asia)
 * Shikomizue (Japan)
 * Talibon (Southeast Asia)
 * Wakizashi (Japan)

Swords
Long swords were classified by Gordon as longer than 28 inches/71 cm.

Curved one-handed swords

 * Ayudha katti (South and Southeast Asian)
 * Backsword (European)
 * Cutlass, hanger, hangar (European)
 * Dao, Beidao, Zhibei dao (Chinese)
 * Dha (Southeast Asian)
 * Dussack, disackn, dusack, dusagge, dusegg, dusegge, dysack, tesak, thuseckn, tuseckn (European; debated. Although some list this weapon only as a wooden practice sword, others state that there are real, metal examples.)
 * Falchion (European)
 * Hunting sword (European)
 * Kampilan (Philippines/Southeast Asian)
 * Karabela (European)
 * Kastane (Southeast Asia))
 * Khopesh, sappara, sickle-sword (Middle eastern)
 * Kilij (Middle Eastern)
 * Klewang (Southeast Asian)
 * Krabi (Southeast Asian)
 * Kukri, Khukri (Nepal)
 * Liuyedao (Chinese)
 * Mameluke (Middle Eastern)
 * Messer, Großmesser, Hiebmesser, Kriegsmesser, Langes messer (European)
 * Nimcha (African)
 * Piandao (Chinese)
 * Pulwar (Middle Eastern)
 * Sabre, Briquet (European)
 * Schweizersäbel (European)
 * Scimitar, Saif (Middle Eastern)
 * Shamshir (Middle Eastern)
 * Shashka (European)
 * Szabla (European)
 * Talwar (Middle Eastern)
 * Yanmaodao (Chinese)

Straight one-handed swords

 * Arming sword, war sword (European)
 * Basket-hilted sword, broadsword, heavy cavalry sword, mortuary sword, schiavona (European)
 * Chokutō (Japanese)
 * Épée (European. Although now a fencing practice weapon, it originally was a stiff, heavy, triangular-bladed thrusting sword weighing about 30oz.)
 * Espada ropera (European)
 * Estoc (European)
 * Firangi, Firanghi (Central Asian)
 * Flamberge (European)
 * Flyssa (African)
 * Hwandudaedo (Korean)
 * Ida (African)
 * Jian (Chinese)
 * Kaskara (African)
 * Katzbalger (European)
 * Khanda (South Asian)
 * Longsword, grootzwaard, langschwert, spadone, spada longa (lunga), montante (European)
 * Malibar coast sword (Southeast Asian)
 * Ninjatō (Japanese)
 * Rapier (European)
 * Saingeom (Korean)
 * Seax (European)
 * Side-sword (European)
 * Spadroon (European)
 * Spatha (Mediterranean)
 * Takoba (African)
 * Tibetan Jian (Middle Asian)
 * Tsurugi (Japanese)
 * Ulfberht (Viking)

Curved two-handed swords

 * Dōtanuki (Japanese)
 * Falx (European)
 * Katana (Japanese)
 * Miao dao (Chinese)
 * Nandao (Chinese)
 * Nihontō (Japanese)
 * Panabas (Filipino)
 * Tachi (Japanese)
 * Uchigatana (Japanese)

Hand-and-a-half and two-handed greatswords

 * Assamese dao (Indian, Southeast Asian)
 * Boar sword (European)
 * Changdao (Chinese)
 * Claidheamh Da Laimh, Highland sword (European)
 * Claymore, Scottish Gaelic for "great sword", (Scotland, European)
 * Dadao (Chinese)
 * Espadon (European)
 * Executioner's sword, heading sword, sword of justice (European)
 * Flame-bladed sword, flambard, flammard, Flammenschwert (European)
 * Great sword (European)
 * Katana (Japanese)
 * Longsword, bastard sword, espée bastarde, hand-and-a-half sword (European)
 * Nagamaki, Nagamaki sword (attached to sword handle, as opposed to the polearm) (Japanese)
 * Nodachi (Japanese)
 * Otachi (Japanese)
 * Parade sword, Paratschwerter (European)
 * Wodao (Chinese)
 * Zanbatō (Japanese)
 * Zhanmadao (Chinese)
 * Zweihänder, bihander, Dopplehänder, lowland sword, tuck, two-handed sword (European)

Axe-like swords
Generally, convex blades used for heavy chopping or slashing.


 * Aruval (South Asian)
 * Bolo, Itak (Philippines/Asian)
 * Falcata (Mediterranean)
 * Golok (Southeast Asian)
 * Harpe (Mediterranean)
 * Kopis (Mediterranean)
 * Kora (Southeast Asian)
 * Machete, Vettukathi (Southeast Asian)
 * Makhaira (Mediterranean)
 * One-handed dacian falx, Sica (Mediterranean)
 * Parang pandit (Southeast Asian)
 * Sosun pattah (South Asian)
 * Yatagan, yataghan (Middle Eastern)

Other swords

 * Hook sword (Chinese)
 * Shotel (African)

Sickles and sickle-like knives
Generally short, concave blades used for heavy cutting.


 * Arit (Southeast Asian)
 * Karambit, kerambit, korambit (Southeast Asian)
 * Kujang (Southeast Asian)
 * Mandau (Southeast Asian)
 * Pichangatti (Indian)
 * Punyal (Philippines/Southeast Asia)
 * Sickle (Worldwide; improvised)
 * Sudanese sickle-knife (African)
 * Wedong (Southeast Asian)

Picks and pickaxes

 * Chicken sickles (Chinese)
 * Crowbill (European, Central Asian)
 * Elephant goad, Ankus, Ankusha, Bullhook, Elephant Hook (South and Southeast Asian)
 * Hakapik (European)
 * Horseman's pick, Martel de Fer (European; also a blunt weapon)
 * Kama (Japanese)
 * Mattock (European; improvised)
 * Pickaxe (European; improvised)
 * War hammer (European; also a blunt weapon)

Axes

 * Adze (European; improvised)
 * Bardiche (European)
 * Battle axe (European)
 * Broadaxe (European)
 * Bhuj, with blade shaped like the dagger on a long shaft
 * Congolese Ax (African)
 * Dahomey Axe Club (African; also an effective blunt weapon)
 * Dane Axe, English Long Axe, Hafted Axe, Shorter Danish Axe, Viking Axe (European)
 * Doloire (European)
 * Fu (Chinese)
 * Hand axe, Ovate handaxe (Paleolithic)
 * Hatchet (European)
 * Labrys (Mediterranean)
 * Long-bearded axe (European)
 * Masakari (Japanese)
 * Nzappa zap (African, also thrown)
 * Ono (Japanese)
 * Palstave (European, Bronze Age; improvised)
 * Sagaris (Mediterranean)
 * Shepherd's axe, Valaška (European)
 * Sparth Axe (European)
 * Tabarzin (Middle Eastern)
 * Tomahawk, Spontoon Tomahawk (Americas; also thrown)
 * Vechevoral (Middle Asian)

Trauma weapons (clubs)
Wielded with one or two hands at close quarters with swinging motions.

Pole weapons
Wielded mainly with two hands. Primarily for melee with sweeping, thrusting, and/or hooking motions.

Blunt staffs

 * Bâton français (European)
 * Bō (Japan)
 * Eku (Okinawan)
 * Gun (staff) (Chinese)
 * Jō (Japanese)
 * Lathi (Indian)
 * Naboot, asaya, asa, nabboot, shoum (Middle Eastern)
 * Quarterstaff (European)
 * Shareeravadi (Middle Asian)
 * Taiaha (New Zealand)

Spears
Thrown spears and javelins are listed under ranged weapons.


 * Ahlspiess, awl pike (European)
 * Atgeir (European)
 * Boar spear (European)
 * Brandistock, buttafuore, feather staff (European)
 * Dangpa-chang (Korean; also thrown)
 * Dory, doru (Mediterranean)
 * Hasta (Mediterranean)
 * Hoko yari (Japanese)
 * Iklwa (Zulu)
 * Jukjangchangbo, chichang, dongyemochang, daijichang, Nangsun, sabarichang, toupjang, yangjimochang (Korean)
 * Lance (European)
 * Menaulion (Mediterranean)
 * Migration Period spear, framea, gaizaz, gar, geirr, ger (European)
 * Military fork (European)
 * Pike
 * Pitchfork (improvised)
 * Qiang (spear) (Chinese)
 * Ranseur, rawcon, runka (European)
 * Saintie (Middle Asian)
 * Sarissa (Mediterranean)
 * Sibat, bangkaw, palupad, sumbling (Southeast Asian)
 * Spetum (European)
 * swordstaff (European)
 * Trident
 * Trishula (Indian, Southeast Asian)
 * Yari (Japanese)

Polearms with axe-like blades

 * Arbir (Southeast Asian)
 * Bardiche (European)
 * Bec de corbin, bec de faucon (European)
 * Bill, bill Hook, bill-guisarme, English bill (European)
 * Bisento (Japanese)
 * Chacing staff (European)
 * Dagger-axe, Ko (Chinese)
 * Danish axe, English long axe, hafted axe, longer Danish axe, Viking axe (European)
 * Fauchard (European)
 * Gandasa (South Asian; improvised)
 * Glaive (European)
 * Guan (Kwan) Dao (Chinese)
 * Guisarme (European)
 * Halberd (European)
 * Ji (Chinese)
 * Lochaber axe (European)
 * Long-handled Nagamaki (Japanese)
 * Man catcher (European)
 * Monk's spade (Chinese)
 * Naginata (Japanese)
 * Ngaw (Southeast Asian)
 * Nulbjakchang, galgorichang (Korean)
 * Ox tongue spear (European)
 * Partisan, partizan (European)
 * Pollaxe, Poleaxe (European)
 * Pudao (Chinese)
 * Rhomphaia (Mediterranean)
 * Sasumata (Japanese)
 * Scythe (improvised)
 * Sodegarami (Japanese)
 * Tepoztopilli (Americas)
 * Tongi, two-pointed, four-pointed tongi (South Asian)
 * Tsukubō (Japanese)
 * Two-handed Dacian falx (Mediterranean)
 * Voulge (European)
 * War scythe

Polearms with spikes and hammers

 * Bec de corbin (European)
 * Lucerne hammer (European)
 * Zhua (Chinese)

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


 * Angon (European)
 * Assegai, assagai (African)
 * Atlatl and darts (Americas, paleolithic cultures)
 * Falarica, phalarica (Mediterranean)
 * Harpoon (worldwide)
 * Javelin (Mediterranean)
 * Jangchang (Korean)
 * Lancea (Mediterranean)
 * Pilum (Mediterranean)
 * Soliferrum, Saunion, Soliferreum (Mediterranean)
 * Spiculum (Mediterranean)
 * Verutum (Mediterranean)
 * Woomera, Amirre (Australian)

Throwing sticks

 * Boomerang (Australian, worldwide)
 * Knobkierrie, knopkierie, knobkerry (African; also a blunt weapon)
 * Rungu (African)

Throwing blades and darts

 * Chakram (Indian, Southeast Asian)
 * Martiobarbuli, plumbata (Mediterranean)
 * Shaken or shuriken/kurumaken, bo-shuriken/throwing spikes, hira-shuriken/throwing stars (Japanese)
 * Kpinga (The Zande tribe)
 * Kunai (improvised, Japanese)
 * Throwing knife (Worldwide)
 * Thrown darts (worldwide)
 * Swiss arrow

Throwing axes
Could also be used as axe weapons, but were specifically designed for throwing.
 * Francisca, francesca (European)
 * Hunga munga, danisco, goleyo, njiga (African)
 * Hurlbat, whirlbat (European)
 * Nzappa zap (African)
 * Tomahawk (Americas; also an axe weapon)

Longbows

 * Decurve bow (sub-category)
 * Deflex bow (sub-category)
 * English longbow, Welsh longbow, Warbow
 * Flatbow
 * Self bow
 * Daikyū (Japanese)

Recurved bows

 * Cable-backed bow
 * Composite bow
 * Hungarian bow (sub-category)
 * Perso-Parthian bow (Middle Eastern)

Short bows and reflex bows

 * Gungdo, Hwal (Korean)
 * Hankyū (Japanese)
 * Mongol bow (Eastern European, Chinese)
 * Turkish bow (Eastern European)

Crossbows

 * Arbalest, Arblast (European)
 * Bullet Bow, English bullet bow, pellet crossbow (European)
 * Chu Ko Nu (Chinese)
 * Crossbow, small crossbow (European, Chinese)
 * Gastraphetes (Mediterranean)
 * German stone bow (European)
 * Pistol crossbow (subcategory)
 * Repeating crossbow, Chu-ko-nu, Zhuge Nu (Chinese)
 * Skåne lockbow (European)

Other

 * Blowgun, blow tube, blowpipe (worldwide)
 * Bolas (South Americas)
 * Fukiya (Japanese)
 * Kestros, cestrosphendone, cestrus, kestrophedrone (Mediterranean)
 * Sling (paleolithic, Mediterranean, European)
 * Stave sling, fustibale (Mediterranean)
 * Slingshot (American)

Gunpowder weapons



 * Arquebus, caliver, hackbut, harkbus, harquebus (European)
 * Blunderbuss, donderbus (European)
 * Carbine (European)
 * Culverin (European)
 * Doglock
 * Fire lance (Chinese)
 * Flintlock
 * Hand cannon (Chinese, European)
 * Huochong (Chinese)
 * Lantaka (Philippines, Southeast Asia)
 * Long gun (European)
 * Matchlock
 * Musket (Chinese, European)
 * Pistol (European)
 * Rabauld, ribauiidkin, ribault, organ gun (European)
 * Snaphance
 * Snaplock
 * Tu Huo Qiang (Chinese)
 * Wheellock, wheel-lock, wheel Lock

Composite projectile weapons
Having a built-in gun or ranged weapon combined with some other type of weapon.
 * Ax match and wheellock (European axe with five barrells under a removable blade)
 * Carbine ax (European axe)
 * Halberd double-barreled wheellock (European Halberd)
 * Mace wheellock (European mace)
 * Matchlock ax/dagger (European axe, dagger, matchlock combination)
 * Pistol sword (European sword)
 * War hammer wheellock (European pick/hammer)

Flexibles

 * Bullwhip (Worldwide)
 * Cat o' nine tails (European)
 * Chain whip, jiujiebian, qijiebian, samjitbin (Chinese)
 * Knout (Eastern Europe)
 * Lasso, lariat, uurga (Americas, Chinese)
 * Nagyka (Eastern European)
 * Sjambok, chicotte, fimbo, imvubu, kiboko, kurbash, litupa, mnigolo (Africa)
 * Smallwhips, crops (worldwide)
 * Stockwhip (Australia)
 * Urumi, chuttuval (Indian)

Sectional or composite
Having multiple handles or holdable sections.
 * Nunchaku (Okinawan)
 * Samjigun, sansetsukon (Chinese, Japanese, Okinawan)
 * Tabak-Toyok, chako (Southeast Asian)
 * Two-section staff, xhang xiao ban (Chinese; could also be considered a polearm)
 * Three-section staff, (Chinese)

Chain weapons
Having a heavy object attached to a flexible chain. Wielded by swinging, throwing, or projecting the end, as well as wrapping, striking, and blocking with the chain.
 * Chigiriki (Japanese)
 * Cumberjung, double-ended flail, flail with quoits (Middle Asian)
 * Flail, fleau d'armes, Kriegsflegel (European)
 * Flying claws (Chinese)
 * Kusari-gama (Japanese)
 * Kyoketsu-shoge (Japanese)
 * Kusari-fundo, manriki, manriki-gusari, manrikigusari (Japanese)
 * Meteor hammer, dai chui, dragon's fist, flying hammer, liu xing chui, sheng bao (Chinese)
 * Rope dart, jouhyou, rope javelin, sheng biao (Chinese, Japanese)
 * Slungshot (European, Chinese, Japanese; improvised; not to be confused with a slingshot)
 * Surujin, suruchin (Okinawan)

Shields
Used not only to block strikes and missiles but also swung outwardly (or in quick upward motions) to strike an opponent. Also used to rush an opponent (known as shield bashing). Some shields had spikes, sharp edges, or other offensive designs.
 * Aspis, hoplon (Mediterranean)
 * Buckler (European)
 * Ceremonial shields, hide, leather, wickerwork (worldwide, tribal)
 * Heater shield, heraldic shield (European)
 * Hoplon shield (European)
 * Hungarian shield (European)
 * Ishlangu (African)
 * Kite shield (European)
 * Scuta, oval scutum, tower or rectangular scutum (Mediterranean)
 * Targe (European)