Top Ten Unusual Weapons

People differ. This is normal since it is almost impossible to agree on everything. However, many a times, differences may lead to strife and eventually war may break out. In the recent past, there has been bloodshed in many parts of the world all in the name of discord. At one time, it is political wrangles another time it is religious dissension and other times it is squabbling for resources. Did war exist in the ancient society? Since time immemorial, man has always engaged in deadly warfare. Although the ancient society warred for entirely different reasons, the same ire led to the invention, improvisation and innovation of deadly and sometimes unusual weapons in readiness for battlefield. These weapons were meant to harm the rival mercilessly. The following are some of the unusual archaic weapons employed by the ancient society in battlefields.

1. Kpinga

Kpinga, also known as Hunga Munga, was an unusual ancient weapon of Central Africa. It was used by the Azande of Nubia. It was the deadliest weapon among the Nubians and was only used by professional warriors. It consisted of three projecting sharp blades each inclined at a different angle. In most cases, it was 22 inches long and had a smaller handle. The Kpinga was thrown in a specific way depending on the position of the enemy. Its three blade angled differently ensured that it damaged the target no matter the point of striking.

2. Man Catcher

Man Catcher is an 18^th century unusual weapon used in Europe. It was basically used to pull opponents from horseback to the ground where they would lie helpless. Though Man Catcher was designed for a person who wore metal amour, it was a very deadly weapon that could hurt a person without an amour. It consisted of a pole with a semi-circular head which had sharp metal prongs. The pronged semi-circular ring would be used to trap a person on the neck and hold him helpless. Precisely, the Man Catcher was used to trap and contain aggressive opponents.

3. The Chakram

Chakram, also referred to as Chalikar, was an Indian throwing weapon. It was made of a circular ring with very sharp outer edges. The ring was of different diameters with a regular sized Chakram being about 15 centimetres. The Chakram was to be thrown vertically to the opponent. Its razor sharp edges ensured maximum damage upon landing on its target.

4. Hook Swords

Hook Swords is associated with the ancient Chinese people. It is also known as twin hooks, tiger heads, or tiger blades. It consists of a regular sword at the back and a crescent shaped guard. At the other end there is a sharp edge. The weapon has hooks which are used to trip and catch opponents. Hook Swords are normally used in pairs.

5. Zhua

Another ancient unusual weapon used by the Chinese is the Zhu which literary means “claws”. It consists of an iron hand claw on a 6 foot pole. The Zhua was used to grab shields off enemies. Since it was heavy, it would be used to batter rivals. Like the Man Catcher, the Zhua was used to pull riders from horsebacks.

6. Katar

Katar is a South Asian ancient unusual weapon which originated from Tamil Nadu in India. The weapon consists of a flat triangular blade with a two parallel bars which are used as the handle. The technique for using Katar is thrusting the weapon into the target in form of a punch.

7. Macuahuitl.

A Macuahuitl is a wooden sword-like weapon used by the Aztec in the 16th century. It is made up in the form of a sword and has sharpened obsidian blades in its sides.

8. Chu Ko Nu

Chu Ko Nu is a Chinese ancient unusual mechanical weapon also known as repeating crossbow. The weapon is mechanised in that the process of loading bolts and firing is done by pulling and pushing a lever. This ensured that more shots were fired in a short time.

9. Scissor

Scissors were invented in the 16^th century in Egypt. The early scissors consisted of two bronze blades connected at one end by a thin plate which when pressed together would bring the blades together thus cutting a material. As weapon, scissors were used to stab or cut the opponent.

10. Flail

Flail is an unusual weapon used in the late Middle Ages. A Flail consists of a pole which has a striking head attached to it. In war, the weapon was used to strike an opponent’s head.

To sum it up, many unusual weapons were made in the ancient society. These archaic weapons inspired the invention of modern day weapons.