Let's consider the design of the main types of edged weapons. Unusual melee weapon
There is a world great amount types of bladed weapons. They are divided into three main types. Piercing (spears, pikes and swords). Cutting (swords, axes and knives). Throwing, and the rarest percussion (clubs and hammers). Next we will look at each type in more detail. You can also familiarize yourself with the catalog of Kuznets Semin’s online store klinok-shop.ru to get an idea of the types of edged weapons. So:
1. Piercing weapon - a melee weapon in which damage is inflicted with one precise blow that hits important organs. Some types of such weapons are divided into piercing-cutting and piercing-cutting. Wounds received from such weapons are difficult to treat.
Among this type, the main type is Polearm. This type weapons were used to cause damage without getting close to your opponent. The damage range of polearms is greater than that of other types, such as swords or axes. The long handle allows its owner to wound the enemy at a long distance, without letting him get close to him. The main types of such weapons include pikes, spears and halberds.
2. Cutting - the most common type of bladed weapon in the world. Swords and daggers are of this type. The most important feature of swords is that they can combine several types of damage, mainly cutting and slashing. Of the huge variety of types of weapons, the sword has always been the most popular and had a huge number of different shapes and sizes. Each nation gave the sword its own unique shape. For example, among the northern peoples the blade of the sword was straight and even, and the sword itself, while the eastern people used curved blades.
It is worth noting that straight swords were designed for slashing damage; in addition, such weapons weighed a lot, which is why the owner of such a sword had to have good physical training and strength. Eastern swords were lighter and had mainly cutting properties, and did not require special strength from the wearer.
3. Throwing weapons. A rare, yet very effective method of combat. A good way to neutralize an enemy at a long distance. These include bows, crossbows and throwing knives. As for the latter, throwing ones have a balanced shape, lightness and are small in size. The bow and crossbow have the longest range of any weapon type. The range and accuracy of a hit from such a weapon depends entirely on the training and strength of the shooter. The destruction range is 200-300 meters.
Types by nature of damage caused
Piercing weapon The blade only deals piercing damage:
Konchar- Old Russian and Eastern piercing edged weapons. It is a sword with a straight, long (up to 1.5 m) narrow three- or tetrahedral blade.
A spear- piercing or piercing-cutting bladed weapons. The spears were throwing and heavy for close combat.
Dirk- a cold piercing weapon with a straight thin faceted (mostly rhombic cross-section) double-edged blade. The edges of the blade are not sharpened. Worn in a sheath on a belt belt.
Chris- a national dagger with a characteristic asymmetrical blade shape. It appeared on the island of Java and is distributed throughout Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia. The etymology is related to the Old Javanese word ngeris, which means “to prick”, “to pierce”.
Knife- a cutting tool, the working part of which is a blade - a strip of hard material (usually metal) with a blade on one or more sides. The design most often includes a blade and a handle.
Pike- a cold piercing weapon, a type of long spear. It consists of a shaft 3-5 meters long and a triangular or tetrahedral metal tip 12-57 centimeters long. The total weight is 3-4 kilograms. This weapon was intended to protect infantry from cavalry attacks, and was also used by the Russian cavalry.
Partisan- a piercing bladed weapon, a type of spear. It has a long, wide and flat metal tip mounted on a long (2.5 m or more) shaft. A characteristic feature of the protazan tip is the presence of ears of different lengths and configurations in the plane of the blade. The most ancient protazans had small ears, and subsequently this type of weapon was often mixed with a halberd, creating many variations.
Rapier- predominantly a piercing edged weapon, a type of sword, in its original meaning a long “civilian” sword, unlike a “combat” sword, it is too light to deliver a slashing blow, nevertheless, in the classical (non-sports) version it has blades. In Russian, rapier most often refers to swords with a bayonet-shaped blade - three- or four-sided, mainly intended for training fights.
Rohatina- Slavic heavy spear for hand-to-hand combat or for hunting large animal. Features a large, wide, double-edged tip.
Sai- a piercing bladed weapon such as a stiletto. Traditional for the residents of Okinawa (Japan). It is believed that the sai came from a trident for loosening the earth. Subsequently it began to be used as dual wielding, the third sai was worn in the belt as a spare (throwing) one. The one-piece sai had a round or multifaceted blade with a sharp, less often blunt, tip.
Sarissa- long striking spear, pike.
Stylet- piercing edged weapon, a dagger of Italian origin with a straight cross and a thin and narrow blade, in classic version not having cutting edge(blades). The cross-section of the blade can be round, oval, triangular (most often) or tetrahedral with fullers and stiffeners or flat edges; blades are usually absent.
Sword- a cold piercing-cutting or piercing weapon, derived from a sword, consisting of a long (about 1 meter or more), straight, single- or double-edged or faceted blade and a handle (hilt) with a bow and guard of various shapes. In sports fencing there are also rapier and espadron. But if the rapier originated as a lightweight sword, then the espadron has an independent origin.
Bayonet- cold piercing weapon attached to the barrel of a gun (rifle, carbine, machine gun) for bayonet fighting; Can also be worn on a belt.
Espanton- a piercing polearm bladed weapon, consisting of a figured feather, crown, crosspiece located between them, supports and a long shaft. More often used as a ceremonial weapon. Originally, side blades were designed to block slashing blows, but practical use came to naught, and as a result, the weapon took on a symbolic meaning.
Estoc- a two-handed konchar designed for forcefully piercing knightly armor, which is why in Germany it was called nem. Panzerstecher - literally "shell piercer". The blade is more than a meter long, faceted, sometimes with a stiffening rib.
Slashing weapon
Battle ax (Axe)- a type of ax designed to kill manpower. It is a multifunctional slashing weapon. A distinctive feature of the battle ax is the light weight of the blade (about 0.5 kg) and the long ax handle (from 50 cm). Battle axes were one-handed and two-handed, one-sided and two-sided. Single-sided battle axes are characterized by a curved ax handle, the butt is placed behind the handle and acts as a counterweight. Double-sided battle axes have a straight ax handle, and the second side acts as a counterweight. The battle ax was used both for close combat and for throwing.
Labrys (subspecies of battle axe)- Ancient Greek double-sided battle or ceremonial axe. To the Romans it was known as bipennis.
Valashka (subtype of battle ax)- a long (up to 1 meter), thin, light hatchet, which was used in the past by Slovaks (mainly shepherds and robbers like Janosik) as a weapon, staff and tool
Berdysh (subtype of battle ax)- a bladed weapon in the form of an ax (axe) with a curved blade, like a crescent, mounted on a long shaft - a warrior.
Scythe- this is an infantry polearm, which was a shaft or pole with a utility scythe, a shredder knife, or a specially made double-edged blade, often arched, mounted on it. This weapon was used by Polish rebels, and was also found in the weapons of the Chinese.
Falchion- European bladed weapon with a short blade that widens towards the end and is sharpened on one side.
Piercing-slashing (or slashing-piercing)
Halberd- a polearm bladed weapon with a combined tip consisting of a needle-shaped (round or faceted) spear point and a battle ax blade with a sharp butt
Bebut- one of the main (along with kama) types of Caucasian daggers. Most likely of Persian (Iranian) origin. The blade is curved, double-edged, up to 50 cm long, most often with fullers.
Guizarma- a type of halberd with a long narrow, slightly curved tip, having a straight branch pointed at the end. The first blade, straight and long, served to defeat the enemy, and the second curved blade was used to cut the tendons of the enemy’s horse or pull him off the horse.
Glaive, aka gleyvia- a type of polearm infantry melee weapon. It consists of a shaft (1.2-1.5 meters) and a tip (40-60 centimeters, width 5-7 centimeters). The shaft is usually covered with rivets or entwined with metal tape to protect it from being cut. The tip is a blade, it looks like a wide falchion sharpened only on one side. From the butt of the tip extends a spike parallel or directed at a slight angle to the blade (the so-called “sharp finger”), which serves, firstly, to grip the weapon when reflecting a blow from above, and secondly, to apply more effective against those chained in armor of opponents with piercing blows (as opposed to slashing blows delivered with a tip). However, the main purpose of the glaive is still to deliver slashing blows. There was also a tip on the lower part of the shaft (the so-called “undertow” or “heel”), but it was usually not sharpened, but simply sharpened - it was used as a counterweight to balance the weapon and to finish off the wounded.
Guan Dao- Chinese edged weapon - a glaive, often mistakenly called a halberd, consisting of a long shaft with a heavy tip in the form of a wide curved blade; weight ranges from 2 to 10 kg. The total length of the weapon also ranges from 1.5 to 1.8 meters. Made from wood or metal. Sometimes it was artificially weighted as a counterweight; the reverse side was also used to repel a repeated attack.
Ge- Chinese variety of cucumber. It has a massive butt, which can be equipped with a hook, and a double-edged blade. The total length is on average about 1.5 m.
Daga- a dagger for the left hand when fencing with a sword, which became widespread in Europe in the 15th-17th centuries.
Katana- long Japanese sword (daito). Current Russian standard GOST R 51215-98 katana is characterized as a “Japanese large two-handed saber with a blade more than 60 cm long.” In modern Japanese, the word katana also means any sword.
Dagger- edged weapons with a short (up to 50 centimeters) straight or curved blade, sharpened on one or both sides. According to GOST R No. 51500-99 - a dagger is a contact, bladed, piercing-cutting weapon with a short or medium straight or curved double-edged blade.
Khopesh- a type of bladed weapon used in Ancient Egypt. It has external resemblance with a scimitar. It consisted of a sickle (semicircular blade) and a handle.
Khukri- the national form of the knife used by the Nepalese Gurkhas. The kukri blade has a characteristic “falcon wing” profile with a sharpening along a concave edge (that is, it is a knife with the so-called “reverse bend”). Kukri is believed to come from the Greek kopis, which has a similar curve, and came to Nepal with the army of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC. e.
Machete- a long (often more than 50 cm), usually thin (up to 3 mm) and wide knife. A blade with a one-sided sharpening, a convex blade, sometimes with a tip curved towards the blade.
Sword- a bladed weapon consisting of a straight metal blade and handle. The blades of the swords are symmetrical. Swords can be chopping (Old Slavic and Old Germanic types), cutting-stabbing (Carolingian sword, Russian sword, spatha), piercing-cutting (gladius, akinak, xiphos), piercing (konchar, estok). The division of double-edged cutting and piercing weapons into swords and daggers is quite arbitrary; most often the sword has a longer blade (from 40 cm). The weight of the sword ranges from 700 g (gladius) to 6 kg (zweihander, flamberge). The weight of a one-handed chopping or stabbing sword ranged from 0.9 to 2 kg.
Naginata- Japanese edged weapon with a long handle of oval cross-section (namely a handle, and not a shaft, as it might seem at first glance) and a curved one-sided blade. The handle is about 2 meters long and the blade is about 30 cm. Over the course of history, a shortened (1.2-1.5 m) and lighter version has become much more common, used in training and showing greater combat effectiveness.
Sword- a cutting-stabbing bladed weapon with a wide end, straight and long (up to 85 cm) blade, which can have a double-sided (early samples), one-sided, or one-and-a-half sharpening, and with a complex hilt.
Saber- cutting-cutting and piercing-cutting bladed weapons. The saber blade, as a rule, is single-edged (in some cases with a one-and-a-half sharpening) and has a characteristic bend towards the butt. Average length blade - 80-110 cm.
Scimitar- chopping or cutting-piercing bladed weapons. It looks like a saber, with a curved blade. The guard is developed and protects the hand. Yelman is missing.
Sovnya- a pole weapon with a curved single-edged tip mounted on a long wooden shaft. In the broadest sense of the word, a glaive is any weapon such as a glaive with a single-edged tip; such weapons were used by many peoples and could be supplemented with hooks or spikes.
Cleaver- cutting and piercing edged weapons, especially a combat knife large sizes. The cleaver blade could be either straight or curved, double-edged or single-edged. Its length was usually 64-72 cm, and its width was 4-5 cm. The cleaver, as a rule, had a hilt. The handle usually had a cross or bow.
Trident- in Greek mythology, the scepter or weapon of the sea god Poseidon. Some types of gladiators (retiarii) were also armed with a trident and a net. The trident consists of a long shaft and a tip topped with three teeth. Like many other piercing-cutting weapons, the trident originated from an everyday peaceful tool, in this case a spear used for fishing to the present day.
Checker- long-bladed cutting-and-piercing edged combat weapon. The blade is single-edged, slightly curved, double-edged at the combat end, less than 1 meter long (in Russia, various models of checkers were in service with a blade length of 81 to 88 cm, the original Circassian ones were even lighter and shorter). The hilt usually consists only of a handle with a curved, usually bifurcated head, without a cross (guard), which is characteristic feature this type of weapon. The scabbard is wooden, covered in leather, with belt rings on the curved side. There are two types of checkers: checkers with a bow, which look like sabers, but are not (dragoon type), and the more common checkers without a bow (Caucasian and Asian types)
Espadron- a piercing-cutting weapon, which is a light sword. Only the bottom edge is sharpened and is used primarily as a slashing weapon. Ideal for inexperienced and poorly trained troops.
Scimitar- bladed piercing-cutting and chopping-cutting bladed weapons with a long single-edged blade having a double bend; something between a saber and a cleaver. The shape of the blade cannot be called unique, since the makhaira, falcata, underside knife, kukri, and cleaver had a concave blade with sharpening on the concave side, but it is the scimitar that has a blade that does not expand towards the tip, but retains the same width. Light weapon weight (about 800 g) and enough long blade(about 65 cm) allows you to deliver slashing and piercing blows in series. The shape of the handle prevents the weapon from being torn out of the hand during a slashing blow.
Impact weapon
Bo- a long staff made of wood or bamboo, sometimes made of metal or sheathed in metal.
Buzdykhan- It is a type of mace, the head of which is studded with spikes (analogue - morning star); more often it has several welded plates (analogous to the shestoper, pernach).
Mace- a bladed weapon of impact-crushing action with a wooden or metal handle (rod) and a spherical head - the striking part, often equipped with spikes. A distinction is made between an ordinary spherical mace and a six-pin or pernach, to the head of which chopping edges were welded. The length of the mace is about 50-80 centimeters.
War Hammer- edged weapons with shock-crushing action of the late Middle Ages (XIV-XV centuries). The war hammer was used by warriors in Europe, India, and Persia; its appearance was a response to the introduction of new means of defense - armor and chain mail, against which swords were ineffective.
Mace- a weapon with impact-crushing action, derived from an ordinary wooden stick. The club, as a rule, differs from an ordinary club or oslop, firstly, in its lighter weight, secondly, in its greater suitability for battle, and thirdly, in the presence of so-called “fortifications”, that is, iron hoops, pommels, and sometimes with spikes .
Pernach- Old Russian edged weapon with shock-crushing action. It is a type of mace, to the head of which several (up to two dozen) metal plates (feathers) are welded. A variety of one-handed pernach with six feathers, called a six-feather, has become widespread.
Six-footer- Old Russian edged weapons with shock-crushing action of the 13th-17th centuries. It is a type of mace, to the head of which 6 metal plates - “feathers” - are welded.
Nunchaku- an eastern edged weapon with shock-crushing and suffocating action, which consists of two short sticks connected by a cord or chain. The cord is connected to the poles by threading it through mutually perpendicular channels at the ends of the poles, and the chain is connected using metal fasteners. Nunchucks connected by a cord are more popular, since some chains and their fastenings break under extreme loads. Nunchuk halves can be either the same or different in length, which is dictated either by the preferences of the owner or by the high need for edged weapons.
Tonfa- a traditional edged weapon with impact and crushing action of the inhabitants of the island of Okinawa. Its prototype was a handle for a small rice mill. Often used in pairs. Tonfa is the prototype of a modern police baton with a transverse handle.
Brass knuckles- contact impact and impact-crushing weapons made of hard material, worn on the fingers or clamped between them, with a smooth or spiked warhead. Despite the simplicity of the design, it is very dangerous: a strong blow with brass knuckles can cause serious injury or death.
Telescopic baton- bladed weapons with impact and crushing action, made of metal or plastic.
Morgenstern- a bronze ball with steel spikes screwed into it. Used as the top of clubs or flails. Such a pommel greatly increased the weight of the weapon - the morning star itself weighed more than 1.2 kg, which had a strong moral impact on the enemy, frightening him with its appearance. The most widespread was the chain morning star, in which a spiked ball was connected to a handle via a chain.
Percussion with a punch
Kama (Japanese sickle)- a type of bladed weapon common in Okinawa. It is a short curved blade mounted on a short handle perpendicular to it. It looks more like a scythe than a sickle. Its prototype was an agricultural tool - a sickle for harvesting rice, which acquired military significance after the annexation of Okinawa by Japan and the ban on traditional edged weapons.
Klevets- crushing and piercing edged weapons. It is considered a type of war hammer. The warhead is made in the form of a narrow, straight or bent point. The ax handle is straight, arm length (60-80 cm). Total weight 1-1.5 kilograms/
Mint- edged weapon, which is a warhead in the form of a beak, secured with an eye on the handle. The name comes from the Old Russian word “chase”, which was synonymous with the word “axe”.
Chapter 2. SHORT PINCING WEAPONS
By the term piercing and cutting weapons we mean a set of various objects specifically designed for inflicting puncture and cutting wounds. In turn, it is divided into bladed weapons and adapted improvised objects. On the streets, the latter are more often used.
Bladed weapon
"TOOTH". Among all the variety of piercing cutting weapons the so-called “tooth” or “devil’s fang” stands out. Despite the apparent “modernity”, this type weapon has an ancient and quite “noble” ancestor, namely a folding knife, which was used for hunting in old Russia. The folding knife was a knife with a double-edged blade, i.e. a dagger, the blade and handle of which were made of one piece of metal. The pommel had a hole for attaching a long rawhide belt, the so-called “pack”.
General view of the “tooth” with a cord
A modern folding knife, i.e. a “tooth,” is a metal body, approximately 2/3 of which is turned into a flattened double-edged blade, and 1/3 into a kind of handle, multifaceted in cross-section (usually 6 or 8 edges). Balancing is carried out along the line of transition of the handle to the blade. The tooth handle has up to 5 holes,” into one of which a strong cord is inserted, the length of which is selected individually. The total length of the tooth ranges from 15 to 20 cm, thickness is about 1 cm, width is about 2 cm. Thus, the tooth has two parts: an all-metal dagger and a flexible, durable cord.
Tooth is a weapon concealed carry. There are several ways to place it on the body:
a) in the palm - the cord is lowered diagonally down, circled around the “tooth” and along the back of the hand, again diagonally, up and thrown over the butt of the “fang” (the cord should lie very tightly). In this case, the tooth can be placed on the palm with the tip up, down with the tip, along the palm, as well as on the rest of the side;
b) on the arm under the sleeve - the free end of the cord is secured to the forearm with a loop, and the tooth itself hangs freely along the arm;
c) on the leg, a loose end of the cord is tied to a belt (waistband), and the tooth hangs freely along the leg under the trouser leg;
d) on the back - the free end of the cord is attached to the forearm using a loop, and the tooth is thrown behind the back (under a shirt or jacket);
e) in the sleeve - the free end of the cord is tied to one of the fingers of the hand, and the tooth is carefully placed in the sleeve.
Option for attaching a “tooth” to the palm
Fastening the tooth on the back or on the leg is used mainly for concealed wearing. The tooth in the sleeve is hidden from the enemy, and at the right moment it slips into the palm and is used as a dagger or strengthens the fist for a blow.
The technique of using a tooth is multifaceted. On the one hand, it can serve as a formidable weapon, on the other hand, it can serve as a tool. Depending on the length of the cord, the tooth can be used at both close and long distances. The tooth itself (with a cord wrapped along the handle) is an ordinary dagger, that is, it is used to inflict stab wounds. The cord can serve as a noose.
Using the "tooth" with a butterfly knife
When you grab the free end of the cord, the tooth turns into a kind of brush. They perform circular rotations on different planes, figure eights and even whipping blows. A tooth with a short cord attached to a finger can also be used like a flail, but in this case it is used to deliver precise blows to the neck, face, and hands. Such a blow is a kind of throwing a knife in the desired direction, followed by a quick return to the hand with the help of a sharp tug on the cord.
Securely attached to the palm, the tooth becomes a spike-like “extension” of the fist. In this position, they can perform piercing blows at different angles.
In this case, firstly, the hand on which the tooth is attached can hold other objects; secondly, even with a strong blow to the hand, the tooth remains in place, which can play a decisive role in the fight.
Finally, the tooth can be turned into a spear or something like a spear.
The disadvantage of the tooth is that using it as a weapon requires considerable dexterity and long training, since by performing this or that movement incorrectly, a fighter risks seriously injuring himself.
MICRO-DAGGER. This is original and very dangerous non-standard weapon. It is a piercing, replaceable striking element (3–5 cm long), equipped with a shank, with the help of which it is mounted on the end of the handle. When assembled, the microdagger resembles a stiletto. After a blow to soft tissue or the stomach, the handle is sharply turned to the side, as a result of which the striking element is detached and remains in the victim’s body, causing damage inside the body and excruciating pain at the slightest movement.
Such a dagger is a weapon of the first strike (when the enemy is not expecting an attack, is relaxed or unconscious). In addition, criminals sometimes use it in crowds for targeted, deliberate murder.
STRAIGHT RAZOR. A striking representative of cutting bladed weapons, this is a straight razor (according to the hairdryer, “caution”, “receipt”). Let us recall that a straight razor is structurally composed of two elements:
a) a slightly curved handle with a side slot where the blade is placed, and applied side plates made of bone, horn, plastic, wood;
b) a rectangular single-edged blade without a tip.
The handle and blade are connected using a hinge. In the folded position, the blade is recessed into the side groove of the handle, and only its butt remains outside.
Of course, nowadays the straight razor has become almost an antique, but nevertheless, it has not yet disappeared from the list of street arsenal. The reason for this is its compactness and excellent cutting properties. The main advantage of the razor is that any part of the body, including thin bones, falls apart into two parts under the influence of its blade.
Experienced fighters grab and open the razor with lightning-fast movements. The opening is made by the movement of two fingers - the index and thumb (see figure). The blade rests with its butt on the phalanx of the index finger, and the thumb fixes it. This position of the razor creates a kind of “blade brass knuckles” that best matches the functional properties of this tool and ensures high mobility of the hand clenched into a fist.
Only “dummies” can hold a straight razor in the linear unfolded position. If the enemy strikes it with a stick or any other heavy object, the razor will collapse and its owner will be seriously injured. His fingers may not fall off, but deep cuts with damage blood vessels and he is provided with nerves. In addition, it is inconvenient to work with a razor in this position.
Method of holding a straight razor
The blows delivered by the razor resemble glancing punches in their trajectory. The main targets are the face, neck, arms, stomach. However, there are no invulnerable places for a razor; it cuts everything with equal success.
To inflict non-lethal wounds in order to demoralize the enemy, a “painting” technique is usually used, similar to “painting” with a knife.
A razor is used to inflict painful, heavily bleeding and poorly healing shallow incised wounds. Injuring the neck with a razor is especially dangerous: in this case, damage to the great vessels, thyroid gland and trachea is very likely, which very quickly leads to death.
There is a well-known technique for using a straight razor called a “propeller”. Its essence is as follows: the razor in a linear open state is quickly moved between the fingers of one hand, making successive interceptions and rotations. The technique is complex and unsafe for the performer. It requires long training. At the same time, the “propeller” itself looks very impressive, but is not used directly to attack the enemy. Rather, it is a type of psychological influence.
Adapted Items
Classic types of piercing bladed weapons created from adapted objects are the sharpener, lance, feather and awl.
Sharpening (synonyms “stooper”, “rapier”, “seasoning”) is a sharply sharpened metal rod, thick steel wire, thin needle file.
“Classic” sharpening is made from a steel knitting needle with a diameter of 2.5–3 mm, or from a steel rod with a diameter of 6 mm and a length of 18–20 cm. For ease of removal from under clothing, a hole is drilled at its blunt end and a thin spring ring. Then a loop of thin but strong cord is threaded into this ring. With this loop the sharpening is placed on the palm. In addition, for ease of use, the blunt end of the sharpening is wrapped with twine attached to epoxy glue. A case in the form of a thin tube is put on the sharp end of the sharpener or a piece of eraser is pricked. It is usually hidden in the folds of clothing (for example, in the thigh seam of denim trousers) or in a special pocket (for example, sewn inside the sleeve of a jacket).
Sharpener attached to palm
A type of sharpening is a “violin” - a flattened steel wire with a double-edged blade and a handle in the form of a ring rolled from it.
AWL. This is a sharpened shortened knitting (sometimes bicycle) needle, equipped with a wooden knob-handle at the blunt end.
“Awl” with a figured wooden handle
PEAK. A stiletto-shaped piercing weapon, which is a 3- or 4-sided file sharpened along the edges and at the tip.
“Pikes” from a needle file (above) and a file (below)
FEATHER. This simplest option micro-dagger in the form of a tablespoon with a handle sharpened on both sides and filed at the base (name « feather" corresponds to the general shape). After striking, when the handle ends up in the enemy’s body, the spoon is broken off. Thus, the damaging element remains stuck in the tissue (which complicates the provision of medical care), and the peculiar “handle” disappears without a trace, along with the fingerprints on it.
As a rule, these types of “prison” weapons inflict only one blow. In principle, sharpening and all its variants are weapons of deliberate murder; they are usually not used in a duel (in a fight).
The technique of using sharpening and its analogues comes down to delivering a short, strong stabbing blow from the belt from bottom to top, while aiming at vital organs: the heart, kidney, liver, or simply in the stomach. A wound to the stomach does not lead to immediate death, but with high probability causes peritonitis, and without special treatment can result in a legal outcome. When using a “pike” or “feather”, the weapon must be turned in the wound after the blow so that the pin or handle of the spoon breaks off and the entire warhead remains in the body.
COMB. As a unique sharpening option, a metal comb with a long rod handle, made of steel rather than aluminum, is sometimes used.
This handle is sharpened, especially the tip. It is convenient to stick such a shank between the ribs or into the stomach (if the comb is held with a straight grip, i.e., the “blade” sticks out from the side of the thumb), and with a reverse grip - into the face, neck and under the ribs on the side.
Metal comb with sharpened shank
SPOKE. On the street, they often use unflattened metal knitting needles without shortening them. With such a knitting needle, a series of jabbing blows is applied to the opponent’s face, neck or body. This weapon is very effective, since even in winter it can pierce thick winter clothing (a jacket or “down jacket”) and cause a deep, infected wound. Despite small size wounds, damage by a needle is very dangerous, since the needle easily reaches deeply located internal organs. For concealed wearing, the knitting needle is placed along the long seam of trousers (jeans).
Knitting needle with plastic knob
NAIL. In principle, long nails (15–20 cm long) are not much different from sharpening. When turning them into weapons, criminal elements sharpen the sharp ends, and wrap the blunt ends in several layers of electrical tape (or take a slate nail, the diameter of the head of which is 1.5 cm).
Hold the nail between the middle and ring fingers, resting the cap on the palm. To make the grip of the nail in your hand stronger, its blunt end is additionally wrapped with a handkerchief or some kind of rag. Holding the nail in this way, they deliver powerful stabbing blows to the body and limbs (especially the stomach, groin and legs).
Method of holding a nail in your hand
"SHLUMKA". This is an aluminum or steel plate sharpened along the edge (usually half a circle). The place of invention of this weapon is considered to be places of deprivation of liberty. The plate is used with equal success as a cutting or throwing weapon.
Holding the plate between the large and index fingers: With short or long swings, it delivers diagonal tangential strikes. According to prison legends, such metal plates were allegedly used by “convicts” as throwing weapons to quietly remove sentries on the towers during escapes.
A similar type of handy weapon to a slushka, but a more convenient one, is a round tin lid from a tin can (mostly of large diameter). The edge of the lid usually has jagged edges, so it is used to inflict lacerated wounds. The technique of application is generally similar to the technique of using the “penny” and “shlyumka”. The jar lid can be used as a throwing weapon.
"PITAK." This is a metal banknote of maximum diameter (for example, a modern one Russian ruble has a diameter of 26 mm and an edge 2 mm thick), half of the circumference of which is highly sharpened (usually sharpening is done using a sharpening machine). In other words, the sharpened coin is a simplified version of the “piska” (see page 150).
To use, the coin is held between the index finger and thumb(or between the middle and index) so that the sharpened part of the circle protrudes outward.
Method of holding a nickel
The cutting effect of a coin is a vigorous flexion or extension of the hand. If found, the coin is put into a pocket, where it is mixed with other “trifles,” or simply thrown away.
"WASHING". Another type of hidden cutting weapon. This is a safety razor blade wrapped on one side with insulating tape, adhesive tape or paper. The sink is held between the index finger and thumb. The blow is made with a wrist movement or a slight swing of the forearm. Targets to hit: face, neck, ears, eyes, fingers and wrists. It is almost impossible to kill with such a weapon, but to injure (gouge out an eye, slash a face) - there are few equal washes here.
Method of holding the "wash"
"STAR". Often street hooligans use popular youth environment breast badge in the form of a star (five-pointed or six-pointed metal badge, placed in a square with a side of 5-10 cm). The badge is “finished” by sharpening one, two or three of its arms using a simple file.
There are two ways to hold a star:
a) the star is clamped in a fist so that the rays pass between the fingers;
b) the star is held between the thumb and forefinger (like a coin).
With a star clenched in a fist, poke blows are delivered to the opponent’s face and neck. Sometimes a star is used for throwing, like shuriken, but this is ineffective due to poor balancing and the asymmetry of the star (in longitudinal section it looks like a one-sided convex lens). It should be emphasized that the star was originally a piercing weapon, while shuriken, similar in its outline to a star, is symmetrical in longitudinal and cross section, and is specially designed for throwing.
"ROSE". This “classic” weapon of restaurants, cafes, canteens and all kinds of home feasts is the broken off upper part of any glass bottle(neck and part of the walls). This weapon is created directly during a fight: a bottle is held by the neck and broken approximately in the middle on the head of one of the opponents. As a result of this action, a unique warhead is obtained in the form of several glass fragments of different lengths and widths, converging towards the neck.
A thick-walled sparkling wine bottle produces long, strong fragments that easily pierce outer clothing; wine, vodka and beer containers - short rounded edges with good cutting properties.
Ways to hold a “rose”
The rosette is a disposable weapon such as a short knife. Usually it is used to deliver a single poke blow from the waist to the body or face of the enemy. After penetrating the body tissue, the “teeth” of the roses break off and remain in the wound. The result of using the rosette is extensive stab wounds with numerous foreign elements (splinters).
The rosette is held either with a direct or reverse grip (similar to a knife). Using a direct grip, it is used to deliver stabbing blows to the face, neck, and, less often, to the enemy’s body. Using a reverse grip, they produce powerful circular strikes at the upper and middle levels. It is worth noting that the “funnel” of a rose can sometimes be used as a trap for an enemy’s knife. This is dangerous for its owner, as the glass breaks, but in a critical situation it may be the only salvation.
A peculiar version of the “rose” is a tin can of juice, beer, or carbonated drink. When turning it into a weapon, they cut both ends of the can into ten to one and a half segments and bend the resulting teeth into a vertical position. Then squeeze central part jars so that it is convenient to hold it. The result is a fairly powerful cutting-type weapon (stabbing with it doesn’t make much sense, because after one or two pokes the teeth bend).
"Rose" from a tin can
GLASS. If they are preparing for a fight in advance, then sometimes they use a different type of “glass” weapon, namely, a piece of glass in the form of an elongated oval or “flattened icicle.” The wider end of the piece is wrapped with electrical tape or a simple rag and thereby turned into a handle. The opposite end serves as the warhead.
Small pieces of glass (3-4 cm) are held with two fingers - the thumb and forefinger (just like a coin or a safety razor blade). They do not prick, but cut. Large pieces are held in the hand like a knife, delivering stabbing blows. Having thrust glass into the enemy’s face, neck or body, the tip of the piece of glass is broken off with a sharp movement, and it remains in the wound.
To protect your palm or cuts, wrap a piece of glass with electrical tape, a piece of cloth or thick paper.
How to use a large piece of window glass
A hybrid of both of these varieties (“roses” and glass) are pieces broken dishes. They can not only cut or stab, but also chop.
The group of short piercing and cutting weapons is one of the most extensive. These are mainly weapons of the criminal world. Some of its types (sharpenings, knitting needles, etc.) are weapons of deliberate murder; others (coin, sink, etc.) - a device for distracting attention, or for specific punishment in a criminal environment; still others (“rose”) are the favorite weapon of street hooligans.
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Ideal, i.e. extremely branched and detailed classification There are no piercing objects in the form of a replicated diagram or other graphic image that would be suitable for recognizing any material evidence submitted for examination. It is almost impossible to create such a classification, since it is impossible to collect the entire studied set, consisting of constantly modified objects of different times and purposes related to different states, ethnographic groups, etc.
Therefore, we have no right to consider all existing collections (collections) of similar things and classifications developed on their basis as complete. However, this does not detract from their importance, since each classification expands our ideas and knowledge about the subjects in question. There are a number of classifications made on various grounds. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Thus, in the manual, the material in the first chapter is systematized and classified mainly according to the purpose of the items: national multi-purpose knives and daggers; hunting knives, daggers and daggers; utility knives; knives for highly specialized purposes; combat knives; knives, souvenirs, etc.
But at the same time, the same objects could be classified on another basis, for example, according to the method of action - into piercing, cutting and piercing-cutting. The classification we adopted allowed us to pay attention to the purpose of objects, but left in the shadows the question of their method of action. In forensic medicine, the mode of action of the damaging object is of paramount importance. Therefore, the corresponding classifications in forensic sources are built mainly on this basis.
Depending on the essence of the phenomenon being studied, classifications of the same objects can be more or less detailed and can be carried out on different grounds. The boundary between edged weapons and piercing and cutting objects for other purposes is also drawn on more than one basis. In some cases, this is the will of the state, expressed in regulatory acts of authorities government controlled on the adoption of a particular model and assigning it a certain name, in others - only the historically established traditions of a particular people, in others - customs that exist (or previously existed) among certain groups of people: tribes, clans, societies, etc. n. The study of this material is the foundation without which neither the creation of classifications nor the recognition of specific material evidence during the examination is possible.
It follows that one of the main tasks of an expert specializing in the production of this type of examination is the constant and systematic replenishment of his knowledge in this area. Unfortunately, the relevant material is not concentrated in the specialized forensic literature. The necessary information is scattered in sources related to various areas knowledge: military-historical, ethnographic, art history, hunting, etc., which should be used by an expert specializing in the study of piercing and cutting objects. Such sources can serve not only scientific publications, but also catalogs, prospectuses of modern and pre-existing domestic and foreign companies and other production organizations. Annotated and systematically updated collections are of great help.
But if the need for sufficient knowledge of the classification of weapons and other piercing and cutting objects is the first prerequisite for a successful examination, then the signs on the basis of which recognition is carried out are the second and no less important prerequisite for conducting such a study. Experience and analysis of the expert practice of forensic units of internal affairs bodies allow us to conclude that one of the main reasons hindering the high-quality production of this type of examination is the inability to identify diagnostic features that characterize the subject under study, with the help of which it can be classified into one or another group of known classifications.
The main reason for the difficulties, in my opinion, is the direction of the existing methodological literature. Almost all sources of this type, without exception, provide names individual parts or parts of piercing and cutting objects (blade, blade spine, spine bevel, heel, fullers, stiffeners, limiter, etc.) as general information about the design of bladed weapons. As a result, the reader gets the impression that the listed parts are typical only for edged weapons. In reality, this is not entirely true. Analyzing the materials of the first chapter of the manual, it is easy to see that many samples of edged weapons do not have the mentioned characteristics. For example, the bevel of the butt is absent in Japanese, Afghani, Bukhara and some other knives; limiter - on Caucasian daggers, Gurkha combat knives and a number of other samples; Turkish and Persian blades, Bukhara and Khiva knives, etc. do not have fullers (gutter-like grooves located along the blade, which are often incorrectly called blood flows).
At the same time, we find many of these signs in objects that are not edged weapons. Any penknife has a bevel of the butt and a heel of the blade, and the stiffening ribs and fullers are clearly visible in the scraper. The same applies to other signs. The presence of a blade tip is characteristic of all knives with the exception of table knives. Besides, certain group table knives (fruit knives) also have an edge. The blade of the blade is an integral feature of any knife, and without it it is impossible to imagine a knife, be it a weapon or not. The method of attaching the handle of a knife is also not a specific feature of a bladed weapon, etc.
Summarizing all of the above, it should be concluded that those signs of edged weapons that are usually referred to in methodological literature, are not at all unconditional, essential signs of a class of objects called edged weapons. It was already noted above that there are no abstract edged weapons, that the concept of “edged weapon” is collective and includes a number of different groups of weapons that differ from each other in design and other characteristics. Most common feature Any bladed weapon is, as is known, its intended purpose to defeat the enemy, which is expressed in designs differently for weapons of different groups.
Over time, each nation has developed its own types and types of edged weapons. These differences consisted primarily in a certain combination of structural elements characteristic of one type or another. Thus, a sinuous blade with a sharp expansion at the heel and a handle in the form of a figurine of a deity is typical for a kris, and a long, gentle, slightly curved and sharpened, but not to the sharpness of the blade, bevel of the butt of a wide massive blade is typical for a hunting knife used for skinning. But the combination of design elements alone does not exhaust the variety of species. It is also necessary to take into account the characteristics of the material from which certain parts, decorations, etc. are made. Edged weapons, especially not military models, but national and arbitrary ones, are usually decorated. Decoration methods are different: engraving, notching, niello, embossing. Using these and other methods, inscriptions, images of battles, hunting and other scenes, and ornaments are applied.
The combination of the listed features is a sign of one type or another, allowing one to distinguish one type of weapon from another, i.e., recognize an object, find its appropriate place in the classification, and ultimately draw the line between edged weapons and objects for other purposes. The fact that homemade piercing objects are also submitted for examination does not in the least contradict the stated position. In relation to the entire mass of varieties of edged weapons, they represent an insignificant minority. But the main thing here is not even this quantitative assessment. Entering total weight piercing cutting objects, products homemade They don’t introduce anything fundamentally new into it.
Manufacturers of homemade items usually strive to simply copy a sample they like and do this to the best of their abilities and skills, and do not at all strive to create some new type or kind of weapon, which would border on design activity. Therefore, the methods for recognizing such products, as well as industrial or handicraft designs, are essentially not much different and, moreover, are carried out on their basis.
Edged weapons can be classified for many reasons (by purpose, method of manufacture, principle of destructive action, design, method of control, holding and action, etc.) into subclasses, genera, types, subspecies and varieties. The classification system of edged weapons serves as a scientific and theoretical basis for establishing the group affiliation of edged weapons. It is one of the most important structural elements of the forensic doctrine of edged weapons in Russia, which studies not only criminal edged weapons, but also all its varieties. In forensic practice, combined and disguised edged weapons are encountered. Camouflaged weapons include weapons whose warhead is hidden and which has appearance an object that is not a weapon. Bladed bladed weapons are distinguished by the length of the blade. It can be short-blade (up to 300 mm), medium-blade (from 300 mm to 500 mm); long-bladed (from 500 mm or more).
If we classify edged weapons, we can divide them into:
Impact bladed weapons, these include maces, clubs, brass knuckles, flails, nunchucks, clubs, poles. pernachi, etc.
This type of bladed weapon is considered the oldest in human history.
Chopping: a distinction is made between pole and blade.
The first includes the reed, the ax, the tomahawk, and the coin. For the second, saber, sword, scimitar.
Piercing: distinguish between long-shaft and bladed.
The first includes the spear, pike, sarisa. For the second there is a bayonet, a rapier, a dagger, a sword, a stiletto.
Chopping - piercing: distinguish between pole and blade.
The first includes the halberd and naginata. For the second, a broadsword, a saber, a cleaver, a sword.
According to the method of holding it in the hand, it is divided into three groups:
with a handle (hunting knives, stilettos, daggers, daggers, checkers, etc.); - with a shaft (spikes, axes, spears, darts, etc.);
with a device for attaching to a firearm.
According to the method of damaging action, edged weapons are divided into:
piercing (stilettos, needle bayonets, swords, etc.);
piercing-cutting (hunting, army knives, daggers, bayonet-knives);
piercing-cutting (cleavers, bayonet-cleavers, broadswords, etc.);
chopping (small axes);
chopping and cutting (checkers, large axes);
piercing-cutting-chopping (sabers with a bayonet point, scimitars, etc.);
impact-crushing (all types of non-bladed weapons).
Classification according to intended purpose.
According to their intended purpose, they distinguish between military, civilian, and typical (criminal) edged weapons.
Combat edged weapons are standard, as a rule, standard and are intended to solve combat and operational tasks of the state paramilitary organizations(sabers, checkers, bayonets, daggers, stilettos, clubs, knives, etc.).
Civilian weapons include weapons that have long been traditionally intended for self-defense, hunting, sports, and are part of the Cossack uniform, as well as national costume peoples of the Russian Federation.
Sports edged weapons become an object forensic research, if it was used to commit a crime (bow, crossbow) or was specially sharpened or modified for criminal purposes (sporting weapons - swords, rapiers, sabers - have a blunt end and increased flexibility of the blade to avoid damaging effects).
Classification based on the principle of destructive action.
According to the principle of destructive action, weapons are divided into piercing (pikes, swords, daggers, stilettos), piercing-cutting (sabers, broadswords, swords, scimitars), piercing-cutting (flat bayonets, daggers, knives), impact-crushing (bludgeons, flails) , brass knuckles, handhelds, lead gloves, nunchaku, fighting whips, whips), throwing (suriken, sai, etc.)
Depending on the design of the striking part, weapons are divided into bladed (bayonets, knives, daggers, cutlasses, etc.), non-bladed and combined.
Non-bladed edged weapons are shock-crushing. Combined weapons combine the properties of bladed and non-bladed weapons (for example, brass knuckles-knife, brass knuckles-dagger). In addition, a combination of bladed weapons and firearms (brass knuckles-revolver, revolver-knife, etc.) is possible. Melee weapons can be disguised as a cane, pen, watch and other objects. Classification by manufacturing method.
Melee weapons differ in the manufacturing method:
- a) factory (factory, branded) - in its design it complies with technical conditions, standards and, as a rule, has markings;
- b) handicraft - made by master gunsmiths in accordance with certain standards, samples, and may have the mark of a master;
- c) homemade - made by persons who do not have special professional skills. Edged weapons do not include various items for industrial and household purposes, although they may have high design characteristics damaging properties and used as weapons when committing crimes: tools, knives - kitchen, pocket, boatswain's, line-cutting, diving, shoe, tourist, souvenir, etc., medical knives and scalpels, any types hunting knives, intended for performing only auxiliary operations (cutting, skinning, etc.).
The issue of classifying a specific item as a bladed weapon is decided only based on the results of a forensic examination or certification. Experts are guided not only by federal law“On Weapons”, but also a number of state standards, for example:
GOST R 51500 “Hunting knives and daggers”
GOST R 51548 “Survival knives”
GOST R 51644 “Cutting and skinning knives”
GOST R 51501 “Tourist and special sports knives”
GOST R 51715 “Decorative and souvenir items similar in external structure to bladed or throwing weapons”
For example, a knife can be recognized as a bladed weapon only based on a combination of characteristics, including:
blade length is more than 90 mm;
the tip of the blade, adapted for thrusting (GOST lists a number of geometric parameters of the blade)
a handle that provides reliable grip during an injection (GOST standardizes the size of the stops and (or) finger grooves of the handle);
the strength of the blade or the entire structure of the knife (the material and hardness of the blade, design features, etc. are taken into account)1.
In modern practice, a manufacturer or seller of knives certifies products at the Forensic Expert Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, receiving a certificate classifying the knife as a household tool or weapon. When purchasing a knife, the buyer can receive the so-called.
“Information sheet” containing a description of the knife, an expert opinion, its date and number and the coordinates of the body that performed the examination.
At the conclusion of the consideration this issue, it is necessary to summarize all of the above. Classification of edged weapons, has
forensic significance, for expert determination of whether the objects under study belong to edged weapons. This is determined by the fact that the classification of edged weapons is a structured list of characteristic items of edged weapons,
defining their characteristics according to many parameters and classifying each item as a specific type, the examination of edged weapons, based on the classification, which in its entirety is built on the basis of forensic science as a whole, has as its goal a detailed study of the presented materials based on forensic knowledge using forensic technology and makes it possible to accurately determine whether an object belongs to a bladed weapon.
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 technology for creating edged weapons by craftsmen different countries had a lot in common. The legacy of the Roman Empire made a significant contribution to this process. Also European countries borrowed some elements Asian species 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 large quantity products of various shapes and properties. The development of gunsmithing was influenced by the emergence of manufacturing production: Special attention master gunsmiths were now focused on combat qualities, and not on 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 something that can 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 throwing knife consisting of several blades.
The blade size was 550 mm. The design of this bladed weapon consisted of three blades stretching in different sides 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. Often they were applied to arrowheads various poisons, 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.
Tepuspilly is another one formidable weapon 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 gladiator 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.