A Brief History
On August 26, 2014, we ran a list of 10 Extremely Effective Weapons That Don’t Require Gunpowder or Explosives. This year, we will propose another 10 such weapons that have proven themselves on the battlefield or in self defense against people and animals. (Note: The order listed has no significance.)
Digging Deeper
10. Ram, 1st Use Unknown.
Useful against enemy fortifications, this can be a simple log carried by 1 or more people and used to batter down doors, walls, vehicles, ships and anything else in the way. For centuries, ships were equipped with rams on the bow as the primary method of sinking other ships, and even during the American Civil War ironclad ships commonly had metal rams on their bows. Giant rams wielded by many men swinging it in unison or mounted from a frame and swung on ropes or on wheels could deliver tremendous force. During your rush hour commute you might see people using their cars as rams! Police use rams mounted on armored vehicles to force entry during raids and hostage situations and are usually equipped with metal hand held rams as well.
9. Cane/Staff/Umbrella, 1st Use Unknown.
Unlike the US where the right of the people to bear arms is enshrined in our history, European countries have long forbidden commoners from owning weapons, forcing people to use expedient items to defend themselves. Men commonly walked with a large wooden staff which could be wielded with great effectiveness as a weapon against someone who attacked them with a knife or the like. Today, a citizen could use a cane, walking stick, or umbrella as an emergency weapon in self defense without the fear of being arrested for carrying a “weapon.” At times, canes, walking sticks and umbrellas are specifically adapted for use as a weapon by concealing a hidden sword blade or sharp point.
8. Knife/Dagger, 1st Use Unknown.
Obviously an effective hand to hand close combat weapon, even modern soldiers feel naked without some sort of knife at their side. A skilled knife fighter is marvelous to behold (just go to a Japanese Steakhouse and watch the chef) and the throwing variety can even provide a stand off distance. Untold millions of people have been killed with knives over the centuries, and even today many murder victims will attest (if they could) to the effectiveness of a sharp knife.
7. Laser/Light, 1960.
Every policeman knows how effective a bright flashlight can be to blind an opponent, and every fighter pilot knows to attack with the Sun behind him. Using reflectors and lights to hinder an opponents vision or to startle him is nothing new, but ever since lasers were invented in 1960 people have been trying to adapt them as weapons. Idiots with laser pointers shining their light beams into the eyes of airplane pilots have become a major problem around airports. The US and other countries have experimented with lasers mounted on ships and aircraft designed to shoot down enemy missiles and planes, and blinding weapons have been considered (though most people think that is a bit too diabolical). Lasers are also effective used to aim other weapons, such as firearms, bow and arrows, and bombs.
6. Electricity, 1974.
When the Taser first appeared in 1974, we had finally created an effective electrical weapon, in this case to incapacitate a person instead of kill him. Of course, it would not be hard to create a similar device with lethal consequences as well. Whether hand held and applied, or fired from a “safe” distance, the Taser and similar less lethal weapons provided by other companies give police and private citizens the ability to defend themselves without resorting to lethal force, although of course sometimes the subject being “Tased” accidentally is killed. Electricity can also be used in a series of electromagnets to propel projectiles at great velocity (rail gun and the like), enhancing the lethality and range of such weapons. Electricity is also used as a defensive or protective weapon when applied to an electric fence, which can be lethal or non-lethal.
5. Sound, 1st Use Unknown.
Sound can be used either as a distraction to startle an opponent in order to gain an advantage, or as an incapacitating agent. Recent emphasis on less lethal weapons, especially for crowd control, had resulted in a variety of sound projecting devices that produce sound that is nauseating and or painful to the point of incapacitating those subjected to it. If you have ever been in the near proximity of a jet plane when it creates a sonic boom, you know how powerful a weapon sound can be. Even listening to the incredibly loud noise of a jet engine is deafening. Psychological warfare includes the use of sound to drive the enemy crazy, by playing even “normal’ music repetitively and at a loud volume to deprive the enemy of sleep and concentration.
4. Net, 1st Use Unknown.
Useful for catching fish, animals and people, the net when handled with skill can be extremely effective. Perhaps you have seen gladiator movies where 1 of the contestants is armed with a net. Even today, nets launched by mechanical means are used to apprehend people without resorting to deadly force. If it is desirable to kill a person or animal captured in a net, the net user can do so with greater safety than without it.
3. Sling, 1st Use Unknown.
Flinging a rock or other object with a length of rope or cloth provides tremendous mechanical advantage over throwing the same object by hand, greatly increasing the velocity of the projectile, the distance the projectile travels, and even the weight of an object effectively thrown. As a testimonial, ask Goliath if David was well armed with a sling.
2. Trebuchet, 4th Century BC.
A type of mechanical catapult, this can be a large wood framed device that uses a counterbalance, a long swinging arm, and a rope secured cradle from which a rock or other object can be thrown with great force and/or great distance. These were primarily siege weapons for use against fortifications prior to the advent of cannons, and were quite effective. They were the artillery of their day. Centuries, and could fling a 350 pound rock almost 1000 feet. With frightening names such as “Bad Neighbor,” “War Wolf” and “God’s Stone Thrower” these weapons had intimidation power as well.
1. Crossbow, 5th Century BC.
A Chinese invention, crossbows come in many varieties, from hand held “pistol” types to giant “Ballista” ancient catapults firing giant “arrows” up to nearly 200 pounds in weight or lighter weapons to a distance of 1200 meters. These Ballistae were often siege weapons or mounted on ships. Some crossbows are set by hand, while Medieval varieties that could only be cranked by a lever and gears could store incredible force to fire armor piercing bolts. The Chinese even had a repeating crossbow with bolts falling into place from a magazine. Not as fast to reload and fire as a longbow, the crossbow gains its advantage from being cocked and ready to fire when needed without the archer having to hold the tension on the bow string. This allows for easier training of the archer and far easier aiming of the weapon, resulting in greater average accuracy. Modern crossbows can be mounted with telescopic scopes, reflex sights, or even lasers, making them tremendously effective hunting weapons out to about 50 yards. (Both deer I have killed with a crossbow had the bolt go right through them.)
Question for students (and subscribers): What weapons would you add to the list? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
If you liked this article and would like to receive notification of new articles, please feel welcome to subscribe to History and Headlines by liking us on Facebook and becoming one of our patrons!
Your readership is much appreciated!
Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Ford, Roger, R. G. Grant, et al. Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor. DK Publishing, 2010.