Illustration of a Roman soldier, also called a legionary, carrying a shield, short sword, and a short javelin for throwing. He is wearing sandals, traditional armor, and a helmet.

A Roman Soldier, or Legionary, with a Short Javelin and Shield

Illustration of a Roman soldier, also called a legionary, carrying a shield, short sword, and a short…

"a dart or javelin, smaller and lighter than the long spear, and thrown by means of a thong, or amentum"-Whitney, 1902

Acontium

"a dart or javelin, smaller and lighter than the long spear, and thrown by means of a thong, or amentum"-Whitney,…

A firearm design where a sliding charger is positioned under the barrel, allowing for faster reloading times.

Fire Arm

A firearm design where a sliding charger is positioned under the barrel, allowing for faster reloading…

"A battle-ax used by the Franks, of which the typical form is a head long in proportion to its width, and expanding toward a convex curved edge, the general direction of which forms a considerable angle with the handle." -Whitney, 1911

Francisca, Throwing Axe

"A battle-ax used by the Franks, of which the typical form is a head long in proportion to its width,…

"Amoung the larger kinds of military weapons in use before the invention of gunpowder. The balista, the catapulta, the scorpion, and the onger, propelled large and heav missiles, chiefly through the reaction of a tightly-twisted rope of hemp, flax, catgut, sinew, or hair; or else by a violent movement of levers." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Ballista

"Amoung the larger kinds of military weapons in use before the invention of gunpowder. The balista,…

An ancient missile weapon which launched a large projectile at a distant target.

Ballista

An ancient missile weapon which launched a large projectile at a distant target.

An example of a weapon used during biblical times.

Battering Ram

An example of a weapon used during biblical times.

"Argent, three battle axes gules two over one. BATTLE AXE. An ancient military weapon, frequently borne on arms as a mark of prowess." -Hall, 1862

Battle Axe

"Argent, three battle axes gules two over one. BATTLE AXE. An ancient military weapon, frequently borne…

A small boat with mortar.

A Mortar Boat

A small boat with mortar.

A bow and arrows along side of a blunt weapon.

Bow and Arrows

A bow and arrows along side of a blunt weapon.

"Represents two forms of the bow; the upper, the Scythian or Parthian bow enstrung, agreeing with the form of that now used by the Tartars, the lower, the ordinary bow, like the one mentioned in the text." — Anthon, 1891

Ancient bows

"Represents two forms of the bow; the upper, the Scythian or Parthian bow enstrung, agreeing with the…

"Argent, a broad arrow gules. BROAD ARROW. An ancient weapon of war, thrown by an engine. It is frequently borne as a charge in coats of arms." -Hall, 1862

Broad Arrow

"Argent, a broad arrow gules. BROAD ARROW. An ancient weapon of war, thrown by an engine. It is frequently…

"Leaf-shaped bronze sword." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Bronze Sword

"Leaf-shaped bronze sword." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

The buffer consists of a tube in which are placed successively from front to rear, the buffer head, a brass friction cup with concave interior and split to allow it to spring; a steel cone to fit into the cup. For of these ups and cones are placed one after the other. Next is the buffer spring and finally the buffer nut which is screwed into the end of the tube and forms a seat for the spring.

Buffer Mechanism

The buffer consists of a tube in which are placed successively from front to rear, the buffer head,…

A catapult is any one of a number of non-handheld mechanical devices used to throw a projectile a great distance without the aid of an explosive substance—particularly various types of ancient and medieval siege engines.

Catapult

A catapult is any one of a number of non-handheld mechanical devices used to throw a projectile a great…

A catapult as used during the Roman Empire. The catapult is an effective device used to hurl an object a great distance without the assistance of explosive devices.

A Catapult

A catapult as used during the Roman Empire. The catapult is an effective device used to hurl an object…

A weapon used during medieval times.

Cheval de Fris

A weapon used during medieval times.

A missive weapon formed by a bow fixed athwart a stock in which there is a groove or barrel to direct the missile, a notch or catch to hold the string when the bow is bent, and a trigger to release it.

French Crossbow

A missive weapon formed by a bow fixed athwart a stock in which there is a groove or barrel to direct…

Two soldiers firing their weapons. One is standing behind a tree, while the other is in the crouching position.

Firing from the Crouched and Standing Positions

Two soldiers firing their weapons. One is standing behind a tree, while the other is in the crouching…

The blade of an African dagger.

Dagger Blade

The blade of an African dagger.

A kind of dagger or poniard.

Dirk

A kind of dagger or poniard.

An African dirk with its sheath.

Dirk with Sheath

An African dirk with its sheath.

"Falcon-bill of about 1450. A form of martel-de-fer, distinguished by its slightly curved and sharp point." -Whitney, 1911

Falcon Bill

"Falcon-bill of about 1450. A form of martel-de-fer, distinguished by its slightly curved and sharp…

"A Bolo is a short, broad, lance-shaped weapon; used by the Filiinos in their operations against the American troops. The blade is about 18 inches in length by nearly 3 inches in breadth at its broadest dimension. It tapers from the middle toward the haft as well as toward the point, making it strongly resemble the ancient short sword. It is not double edged, however, but tapers from a thick back to an extremely keen edge. In April 1904, the United States troops operating in the Philippines, were supplied with bolos."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Filipino Bolo

"A Bolo is a short, broad, lance-shaped weapon; used by the Filiinos in their operations against the…

"A Bolo is a short, broad, lance-shaped weapon; used by the Filiinos in their operations against the American troops. The blade is about 18 inches in length by nearly 3 inches in breadth at its broadest dimension. It tapers from the middle toward the haft as well as toward the point, making it strongly resemble the ancient short sword. It is not double edged, however, but tapers from a thick back to an extremely keen edge. In April 1904, the United States troops operating in the Philippines, were supplied with bolos."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Filipino Bolo Sheath

"A Bolo is a short, broad, lance-shaped weapon; used by the Filiinos in their operations against the…

A device which projects either single or multiple projectiles at high velocity through a controlled explosion. The firing is achieved by the gases produced through rapid, confined burning of a propellant.

Handheld Firearm

A device which projects either single or multiple projectiles at high velocity through a controlled…

Firearm is a device which projects either single or multiple projectiles at high velocity through a controlled explosion. The firing is achieved by the gases produced through rapid, confined burning of a propellant.0

Military Firearm

Firearm is a device which projects either single or multiple projectiles at high velocity through a…

A man firing his rifle from a doorway.

A Man Firing from a Doorway

A man firing his rifle from a doorway.

Piece of timber travsversed with spikes of iron, or of wood pointed with iron, 5 or 6 feet long, used to defend a passage.

Chevaux de Frise

Piece of timber travsversed with spikes of iron, or of wood pointed with iron, 5 or 6 feet long, used…

Halberd, from the time of Henry VIII.

Halberd (Time of Henry VIII)

Halberd, from the time of Henry VIII.

Halberd (Charles II)

Halberd, (Charles II)

Halberd (Charles II)

Double-axed Halberd (Charles I)

Halberd, Double-axed (Charles I)

Double-axed Halberd (Charles I)

Halberd, Do, with fleur-de-lis (Henry VII)

Halberd, fleur-de-lis

Halberd, Do, with fleur-de-lis (Henry VII)

Brass howitzer.

Howitzer

Brass howitzer.

A collection of Native American arrowheads used for making weapons.

Indian Arrowheads

A collection of Native American arrowheads used for making weapons.

A collection of Native American war clubs, weapons used for war.

Indian War Clubs

A collection of Native American war clubs, weapons used for war.

Iron spear heads from Africa used to tip throwing weapons for hunting, etc.

Iron Spear Heads

Iron spear heads from Africa used to tip throwing weapons for hunting, etc.

"The Lance is a weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharp point, much used, particularly before the invention of firearms. It is a thrusting weapon used on foot, but chiefly on horseback. In the middle Ages the lance was held in the highest repute by knights and men-at-arms who formed the main strength of European armies."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Bedouin Lance Heads

"The Lance is a weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharp point, much used, particularly before…

"The Lance is a weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharp point, much used, particularly before the invention of firearms. It is a thrusting weapon used on foot, but chiefly on horseback. In the middle Ages the lance was held in the highest repute by knights and men-at-arms who formed the main strength of European armies."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Bedouin Lance Heads

"The Lance is a weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharp point, much used, particularly before…

An illustration of a man with a bow and arrow.

Man with Bow and Arrow

An illustration of a man with a bow and arrow.

African iron missiles were throwing weapons that were hurled at enemies or shot from bows.

Iron Missiles

African iron missiles were throwing weapons that were hurled at enemies or shot from bows.

African iron missiles were throwing weapons that were hurled at enemies or shot from bows.

Iron Missiles

African iron missiles were throwing weapons that were hurled at enemies or shot from bows.

African iron missiles were throwing weapons that were hurled at enemies or shot from bows.

Iron Missiles

African iron missiles were throwing weapons that were hurled at enemies or shot from bows.

"Mortar practice- 13-inch shell mortar, as used by the Federal government- weight of mortar 17,000 pounds." —Leslie, 1896

Thirteen-inch Shell Mortar Practice

"Mortar practice- 13-inch shell mortar, as used by the Federal government- weight of mortar 17,000 pounds."…

"Mortar practice- rear view of 13-inch mortar, with its usual complement of seven gunners. The mortar is one of the most ancient forms of cannon, being used as early as 1495 by Charles VIII at the siege of Naples. In 1478 the first attempt was made to project hollow shot filled with powder; but owing to their clumsy make the accidents were so frequent as to cause their discontinuance. In 1634 a French mechanic overcame the difficulty, and mortars were revived in the French service. Our illustrations represent a 13-inch mortar, the largest in general practice, weight 17,000 pounds, exclusive of the carriage. The number of men required to work one of these guns is seven, for all of whom there is distinct and adequate occupation. Mortars are not used in hand-to-hand encounters, their value consisting in pitching shells into camps and towns, or shelling fortifications erected on elevations, against which cannons are of no avail." —Leslie, 1896

Mortar Practice - Rear View

"Mortar practice- rear view of 13-inch mortar, with its usual complement of seven gunners. The mortar…

Old stone relic of Norse warfare

Norse Arrowhead

Old stone relic of Norse warfare

Old stone relic of Norse warfare

Norse Arrowhead

Old stone relic of Norse warfare

Old stone relic of Norse warfare

Norse Arrowhead

Old stone relic of Norse warfare

Old stone relic of Norse warfare

Norse Arrowhead

Old stone relic of Norse warfare

Old stone relic of Norse warfare

Norse Arrowhead

Old stone relic of Norse warfare

This illustration shows an ornamental weapon from Korsabad.

Ornamental Weapon

This illustration shows an ornamental weapon from Korsabad.

This illustration shows an ornamental weapon from Korsabad.

Ornamental Weapon

This illustration shows an ornamental weapon from Korsabad.

"The barbed head of a spear or arrow, engrailed on the inner side. The point of the spear is placed in base."—Aveling, 1891

Pheon

"The barbed head of a spear or arrow, engrailed on the inner side. The point of the spear is placed…

This is a toy pistol which simulates an actual pistol.

Toy Pistol

This is a toy pistol which simulates an actual pistol.

A man laying prone, preparing to fire his rifle.

Firing from the Prone Position

A man laying prone, preparing to fire his rifle.

A Puritan of 16th and 17th century England was an associate of any number of religious groups advocating for more "purity" of worship and doctrine, as well as personal and group piety. In addition to arming the Puritans to fight against later developments of the Roman Catholic tradition, these studies also led to the rediscovery of some ancient scruples.

A Puritan Soldier

A Puritan of 16th and 17th century England was an associate of any number of religious groups advocating…

A chinese arrow.

Mongol

A chinese arrow.

A rifle resting on the bayonet.

Rifle

A rifle resting on the bayonet.

A sight is an optical device used to assist aim by guiding the eye and aligning it with a weapon or other item to be pointed.

Rifle Sight

A sight is an optical device used to assist aim by guiding the eye and aligning it with a weapon or…