List of premodern combat weapons


This is a list of notable types of weapons that were used in warfare, and more broadly in combat, prior to the advent of the early modern period, i.e., approximately prior to the start of the 16th century. It therefore excludes objects that may be broadly understood as weapons but are not combat weapons, such as ceremonial weapons and ritual tools shaped or conceptualized as weapons, hunting weapons, and other items that may be perceived as weapons but for which there is no historical evidence of their use in combat during the relevant period.
The entries are grouped according to their uses, with similar weapons categorized together. Some weapons may fit more than one category, and the earliest gunpowder weapons that fill within this period are also included.

Hand-to-hand combat

Hand or fist weapons and fans

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

Edged and bladed weapons

Thrusting and cutting weapons for melee combat. Col. D.H. Gordon's classification has been used where applicable.

Swords

Curved one-handed
Delineated as 20-28 inches/51–71 cm total length.
Curved shortswords include the following:
Straight shortswords include the following:
Generally, convex blades used for heavy chopping or slashing.

Fighting knives and daggers

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

Picks and pickaxes

Axes

Truncheons and blunt weapons

Usually wielded with one or two hands at close quarters with striking motions, although some sharp-pointed truncheons like the sai were more often used for stabbing.

Polearms and spears

Wielded mainly with two hands. Primarily for hand-to-hand combat with sweeping, thrusting, and or hooking motions.

Blunt staves

Spears

Polearms with axe-like blades

Polearms with spikes and hammers

Flexible weapons

Whips

Used for whipping.

Sectional and composite

Having multiple handles or holdable sections.

Chains and ropes

Having a heavy object attached to a flexible chain or rope. Wielded by swinging, throwing, or projecting the end, as well as wrapping, striking, and blocking with the chain or rope, sometimes attached to another type of weapon.

Shields

Used not only to block strikes and missiles but also swung outwardly to strike an opponent. Also used to rush an opponent. Some shields had spikes, sharp edges, or other offensive designs.

Thrown

Throwing blades and darts

Throwing spears

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

Throwing axes

Could also be used as axe weapons, but were specifically designed for throwing.

Throwing balls

Throwing sticks

Gunpowder-based

Slings

Bows

Longbows

Recurve bows

Short bows and reflex bows

Crossbows

Blowguns

Stationary, mounted, or wheeled ballistic devices

This section includes ballistic siege engines and similar larger ballistic devices which were either stationary, mounted on moving objects such as carts or elephants, or wheeled.

Flamethrowers