GunsandSwords

Top 5 (Non-Sword) Weapons of the Medieval Era

2012-01-29T23:57:00.000-08:00

Top 5 (Non-Sword) Weapons of the Medieval Era

The Medieval era is well known for its wide and varied sword based weaponry. But there were other weapons, equally impressive and deadly, that were in wide use. For enthusiasts of the period, a full understanding of the weaponry of the time requires a basic understanding of the non-sword weapons that were common.

The Mace

This is my personal favorite of all weapons, of all time periods. For sheer brutal force, it’s hard to imagine something more intense than the mace. The mace in its basic form is a short rod with a chain attached to the top. The chain has a spiked ball at its end and frequently—as with our models—the bottom end was spiked. When needed, the mace was swung, driving the spiked ball into your enemy with amazing force. We carry a single flail and a double flail version.

Bar Mace

Staying in the mace family, the less commonly seen bar mace is exactly as it sounds—a bar of four steel beams counterbalanced to make a crushing weapon. The weight and force of the bar mace was enough to crush lighter bladed weapons and destroy the armor of your enemy.

Halberd

The halberd is a basic weapon for a foot solider. The halberd is a long staff with a curved blade on the end. In this way it resembles a long handled axe, but it was lighter and easier to carry. There was variation in the head of the halberd from place to place. Ours has a traditional design, with a large blade on one side of the head, a smaller blade on the reverse and a spike at the top, to allow for multiple attack modes.

Battle Axe

The battle axe was a heavy weapon, designed for use in battle. These were frequently worn strapped to the back and were used either as the exclusive weapon of the soldier or more commonly, as a secondary weapon in case their sword was damaged or if the fighting became close enough to make sword use awkward.

Archer’s Axe

The archer’s axe is lighter and more delicate than a war axe. It was designed with a blunt end that could be used to hammer stakes for defensive purposes. Although it is called an archer’s axe due to its frequent use among archers, in reality it was commonly used by many kinds of soldiers due to its high number of battlefield uses.

These weapons represent some of the harder edge of medieval warfare. You’re not likely to hear a heroic ballad of a chivalrous knight who used a mace as his primary weapon. They are bold, blunt and brutal, and serve as perfect examples of the harsh time period that created them.

Top 5 Union Weapons of the Civil War

2012-01-29T22:51:00.000-08:00

Top 5 Union Weapons of the Civil War

Combatants in the Civil War used a wide variety of weapons, including some from other wars and skirmishes. Some people even used swords inherited from their family that had been originally used in the Revolutionary War.

However, the weapons that were issued to the soldiers in the Civil War were by far the most prevalent. Here are the five most commonly used weapons by Union soldiers in the Civil War.

1853 Enfield Rifle Musket: this weapon was actually used by both Union and Confederate armies. It had a .577 caliber, which meant that is could take .58 ammunition that was standard issue during the war. This weapon was considered to be highly accurate for the period, and was shipped to the United States from England, where it was used until 1867.
1860 Calvary Sabre: this was the most commonly used bladed weapon by Union officers. Many officers preferred it to the standard issue Civil War sword, due to its lightness and ease of use.
1860 Army Revolver: this was the most popular revolver in the Civil War. Originally produced for the Union Army, the Confederates quickly realized its benefits and ordered some for their own use. This was a .44 caliber, front loading, six shot weapon.
1861 Naval Revolver: the Confederate army wasn’t the only one that noticed the increased functionality of the 1860 Army Revolver. The Navy also wanted access to the weapon, and as a result they commissioned their own version of the 1860 Army revolver. This piece was functionally very similar to the original, although it was a bit lighter.
1849 Dragoon Pistol: produced in advance of the Civil War, this weapon was used by soldiers in the Civil War, primarily those that had acquired the gun during or immediately after the previous conflict. This weapon was not as advanced as the weapons produced for the Civil War, but it was a significant improvement over the previous pistols used.

The weapons used by the Union army during the Civil War were varied and included some weapons produced in previous years for other conflicts. The importance of high quality weapons was essential in this conflict, as the battles were often long and disorganized. Accurate weapons gave the soldier a better chance at surviving the battle. Whenever possible, carrying multiple weapons—such as a pistol and a saber—increased the effectiveness of the soldier.

Top 5 Revolutionary War Weapons

2012-01-29T22:42:00.000-08:00

Top 5 Revolutionary War Weapons

The Revolutionary War was a glorious battle of colonists against masters and created a tidal wave of revolution across the civilized world. There were many weapons used by both sides during the war, as the colonists acquired whatever weapons they could find to aid them in fighting the more uniformly equipped British army.

Brown Bess Flintlock Musket

The Brown Bess is a British musket, one of the most common weapons used during the Revolutionary War. The Continental army provided them to their troops and eventually began producing them locally. The British had developed the musket in the early 1700s, and it was sued by the British until the end of the Napoleonic wars, well after the Revolution.

Charleville Carbine

The Charleville is a French musket, widely used by the colonists in their battle against the British. It is a shorter version of the 1763 French musket that helped to usher in the age of gunfire as the primary weapon of infantry.

Blunderbuss

There were several different makes and models of the blunderbuss that were used during the Revolutionary War. One of the most common, naturally, was the British Flintlock Blunderbuss. This weapon was a shorter than a musket but larger than a handgun, with a flared muzzle to help direct the ball. The blunderbuss is widely considered the precursor to the modern shotgun.

1750 Double Barrel Flintlock

The flintlock represented a huge technological advancement in weaponry. In fact, the flintlock mechanism that made the pistols more accurate and faster to load remained the prevailing firing mechanism for nearly two centuries. They were most effective at short range.

Bayonet

This is, indeed, the most commonly used innovation of the Revolutionary period. The bayonet was a French invention, and consisted of a triangular piece of metal attached to the end of a musket or rifle. This gave the soldier the ability to use a bladed weapon when the fighting became too close to effectively reload the musket. The musket created wounds that were difficult to heal and were therefore frequently lethal.

These weapons played a vital role in one of the most history-altering battles of recent history. For those who enjoy American history, military history, or even the history of their ancestors who fought in the battle, acquiring and displaying a replica of one of these weapons is a wonderful way to honor this era.

Acquiring a high-quality replica weapon is also an essential part of any historical re-enactor’s equipment. Visit our shop and choose the high quality, accurate replica weapon that best suits your needs.

Top 5 Pistols Used by Germany in World War II

2012-01-21T09:22:00.000-08:00

Top 5 Pistols Used by Germany in World War II

The German army in World War II was the owner of some beautiful weaponry. The German government prioritized weapon development and many of the pieces that were produced for the German army are now prized by collectors of firearms all over the world. The most well recognized weapons are, of course, the pistols. These were the items used by the infantry and officers in the land portion of the war.

Walther P38

The Walther P38 was a 9mm pistol developed by the German military in 1938 as a potential replacement to the more expensive Luger P08. This become the most widely issued weapon of the war for Germany and was the primary service revolver used by German soldier. The P38 is a double action trigger design with a loaded chamber indicator, and represented a slight technological innovation, as it was the first locked-breech pistol to use the double action trigger.

Walther PPK

The PPK was the gun that Hitler used to kill himself at the end of the war. It is also the gun that James Bond uses in many of the books and movies. It was originally produced for the German military, but quickly became a popular weapon for police forces around the world. The PPK is a smaller model of the original PP model, and was designed to be easier to conceal, which perhaps explains its popularity with the police and upper level military officers during World War II.

Walther AP

If you find an authentic Walther AP, you are a lucky person indeed, as only about 55 of these were made. This was originally designed to be the replacement for the Luger, but the German military wanted an exposed hammer, and as a result, the pistol was redesigned. The new design became the Walther P38, and only a handful of these semi-automatic pistols were ever made.

Mauser C96

The Mauser C96 was a bit of a relic in the German army during World War II. Originally produced in 1896, it was a common weapon during the First World War and was one of the most widely distributed weapons during the first half of the 20^th century, especially in Europe. The Mauser stopped being produced—at least in Germany—in 1937, and there were many newer weapons being produced for the German army in World War II, but there is no question that this weapon saw action during the war, in many different armies.

Luger P08 Parabellum

The Luger is one of the most easily recognized weapons in the world. This weapon was the first to use the toggle lock mechanism, which improves the speed of firing. This became the signature weapon of the German army during World War II and many Allied soldiers reclaimed Lugers from fallen German soldiers as prizes. Authentic Lugers are still prized by weapon enthusiasts for their elegance and accuracy.

The German army produced some of the most beautiful and elegant pistols in modern history for use as WorldWar II weapons of choice. Our reproductions are faithful to the designs of the originals and are ideal for history buffs and weapons enthusiasts.

Top 10 Guns of the Cowboy Era

2012-01-20T18:16:00.000-08:00

Top 10 Guns of the Cowboy Era

The Old West is a romantic era of American history. Rugged men conquered the wilderness and forged new communities in the face of obstacles of many sorts, from geographic obstacles to fighting the outlaws that flourished in those uncertain times. You can evoke the grandeur and glory of the Old West by acquiring reproductions of some of their most common weapons.

US Revolving Barrel Percussion Rifle

Originally produced in 1855, this rifle saw action during the Civil War and was carried westward and used by explorers and settlers following the Civil War.

1869 Schofield Western Pistol

Another military weapon, this pistol was carried by the US Calvary as well as stagecoach agents. Naturally, a few fell into the hands of outlaws. These were popular weapons among military and former military men during this period.

1869 First Model American Army Revolver

As the name implies, this was the first revolver put into use by the American Army. It had a hinged end and automatically ejected spent cartridges, a significant technological advancement.

1849 Pocket Revolver

This was a smaller weapon, one that allowed for the owner to carry it, as the name suggests, in a pocket. As such, it was used throughout the Civil War and the Old West period of American history.

Single Action Army Revolver

This .45 caliber weapon was used extensively throughout the Old West period and had many variations, although most maintained the .45 caliber. This is the famous “Peacemaker” gun, also known by other names.

Coach Gun

The shotgun used by the stagecoach companies to protect their investments. Riding shotgun meant carrying this gun while riding on the outside of a stagecoach and watching for those that would attempt to ambush you.

1873 Lever Action Repeating Rifle

Most commonly using .44 caliber ammunition, this was the first widespread use of lever action rifle. The “repeating” in the gun’s name refers to the fact that you can fire multiple shots before reloading, which was obviously a large advantage in a fire fight.

1873 Fast Draw Pistol

This is the pistol most commonly used by the everyday man during the Old West period. The cock and draw mechanism is preserved in our replica. This is the class emblem of the Old West.

1866 Double Barrel Derringer

The derringers were small weapons, able to be secreted on a person inside their clothes. Often the only weapon carried by ladies, or a secondary weapon carried by men who feared their primary weapon would be confiscated.

US Volcanic Repeating Pistol

One of the first cartridge system weapons, which loaded by pulling the spring trigger forward.

The Old West was home to a large amount of violence, and living in that era meant having access to a suitable weapon. There are many variations on these basic weapons, all available at our Old West Guns page.

Top 5 Union Weapons of the Civil War

2011-12-13T08:48:00.000-08:00

However, the weapons of the Civil War that were issued to the soldiers were by far the most prevalent. Here are the five most commonly used Civil War Union Weapons.

1853 Enfield Rifle Musket: this weapon was actually used by both Union and Confederate armies. It had a .577 caliber, which meant that is could take .58 ammunition that was standard issue during the war. This weapon was considered to be highly accurate for the period, and was shipped to the United States from England, where it was used until 1867.
1860 Calvary Sabre: this was the most commonly used bladed weapon by Union officers. Many officers preferred it to the standard issue Civil War sword, due to its lightness and ease of use.
1860 Army Revolver: this was the most popular revolver in the Civil War. Originally produced for the Union Army, the Confederates quickly realized its benefits and ordered some for their own use. This was a .44 caliber, front loading, six shot weapon.
1861 Naval Revolver: the Confederate army wasn’t the only one that noticed the increased functionality of the 1860 Army Revolver. The Navy also wanted access to the weapon, and as a result they commissioned their own version of the 1860 Army revolver. This piece was functionally very similar to the original, although it was a bit lighter.
1849 Dragoon Pistol: produced in advance of the Civil War, this weapon was used by soldiers in the Civil War, primarily those that had acquired the gun during or immediately after the previous conflict. This weapon was not as advanced as the weapons produced for the Civil War, but it was a significant improvement over the previous pistols used.

Knights Templar and the Crusades

2011-12-05T23:40:00.000-08:00

The Knights Templar continue to be a source of legend. They are essential pieces of many historical mysteries, including the search for the Holy Grail. The rumors of their rituals and rites led to the eventual arrest and torture of many of their members and the disbanding of their organization by the Pope in the 14^th century.

During the two centuries the Templars existed, they created a legacy that continues to fascinate. For the fan of medieval history, reliving the glory days of the Knights Templar is an exciting quest.

The Knights Templar had three major ranks. Knights, who were aristocrats in their own lands, sergeants, who were from lower social ranks, and chaplains, who were priests that provided the spiritual guidance for the Templars.

Of these, the most easily recognizable is the knights. They wore a white surcoat over their chain mail, with a red cross sewn across the front. This color and pattern is the most commonly used symbol of the Knights Templar. Our shop has, in addition to the Templar surcoat, a variety of items in this pattern. The mantle, or cape, was required to be worn at all times by the knights. They were not allowed to eat or drink without their mantle, even.

The sergeants used the red cross as well, but placed it on a black background, which made it easy to differentiate them from the knights. Their mantle was either black or brown. The chaplains wore white surcoats as well, but with a more elaborate red front piece.

The Knights Templar were incredibly strong and courageous fighters. They had as part of their code of honor that they never left the battle until all the flags had fallen. In essence, this came to mean that they would stay on the battlefield and fight to the death. The dedication of the Knights Templar inspired fear and awe. They were considered to be warriors for God, holy fighters that represented the best of the best.

Interestingly enough, the Knights Templar founded what became the basis of modern banking. Money deposited in a Templar temple in one location could be withdrawn from a different temple. They were, clearly, ahead of their time.

The incredible wealth management of the Knights Templar is what, in the end, brought about their downfall. The great wealth and almost superhuman reputation of the Knights created fear and resentment, and rumors began to swirl that they were engaged in idol worship and other religious crimes. Today, we can see that the Templars were not given a fair and reasonable trial, and that they were likely wrongly accused to begin with.

Visit our shop to order a wide variety of Templar replicas and weapons and begin reliving the glory days of the Knights Templar today.

Guns used by Pirates

2011-12-05T21:49:00.000-08:00

Pirates are inherently romantic figures in film and fiction. They are frequently pictured using swords or daggers as their primary weapons, which is accurate. However, guns were used along with cannons as the first line of attack for a pirate.

There are several types of guns that were commonly used by pirates. Remember that the goal of a pirate was not to destroy, but to preserve. The less damage done to the ships they were attacking and the cargo those ships contained the better for the enterprising pirates.

The most common weapon used by attacking pirates was the pirate blunderbuss. The blunderbuss was a front loading shotgun, like a musket. It was much smaller than a musket, about half the length, which allowed it to be loaded more quickly and easier to carry. The blunderbuss had a fluted edge, and dispersed shot over a large area.

The flintlock pistol was one of the most popular guns in the pirate arsenal. It was one of the first pistols widely available and was small enough to be carried easily tucked into the clothes of the pirate, making it an easy addition to their wardrobe. The flintlock pistol was still a muzzle-loading weapon, which made reloading during battle unpleasant, but clearly it didn’t take the pirates very long to figure out how to pistol whip their victims.

The percussion lock line of pistols was the next innovation in pirate weaponry. Percussion lock pistols were, by and large, still muzzle-loading and therefore not easy to reload during attacks, but they represented a significant improvement over the flintlock pistol because their caplock mechanism was far more resistant to weather issues and misfiring than the flintlock pistol. As such, they were highly prized when they were able to be acquired.

Pirates, of course, were well known scavengers. Any weapon they could acquire would serve them in their craft. Therefore, a pirate enthusiast could legitimately claim any musket, rifle, or pistol from that era or immediately prior as a likely weapon used as pirate weapons.

Adding in swords and daggers allows you to experience the full range of pirate attacks. These weapons were only really good for a single shot, after which the pirate would have to switch to less complex weapons.

Don’t let the lack of an accurate weapon impair your pirate re-enacting or shrine to all things nefarious. We have a wide variety of pirate weaponry, including several versions of the guns most commonly used by pirates in the 18^th century. We can provide the weapons you need to be the scourge of your community. You’re on your own for the rum.

The Muromachi Period: The Golden Age of the Samurai

2011-11-07T08:55:00.000-08:00

Our site has a wide variety of Japanese weapons and accessories from various eras. They are all authentic and beautiful, suitable for use and display. When deciding which weapon to choose, you should consider what era of Japanese history speaks to you and your purpose. By far, the most well known era of Japanese history is the “Shogun” era, the period that stretched from the mid 14^th century through nearly the end of the 16^th century.

The samurai began as military group, similar in function to the knights that were common in Europe at the same time period. In 1192, the large landowners overthrew the central government, with the assistance of the samurai, and set up their own military state.

However, this unified military state where the samurai worked in cohesion could not last indefinitely. By the late 14^th century, conflicting factions had come into play and the country became splintered into two competing rulers, one in the North and one in the South.

Over time, the outlying areas of Japan became difficult for the central rulers to control and eventually the country was split many small military states. These states constantly engaged in battle with each other, until at last at the end of the 16^th century the country was able to reunify.

During the period of military states, the samurai became in high demand, as there was a continuous need for skilled military leaders and warriors. This was the golden age of the samurai, where a well-trained samurai could achieve wealth and power, and swords were being produced as quickly as possible.

The most common blade found at this period is the katana blade, which simply refers to a single edged curved sword. The length of the blade varied tremendously, with average sizes ranging from 23 inches to 28 inches.

Also common were taichi blades, which are differentiated from katana blades by their length. Taichi blades are considerably longer, up to 86 inches in at least one known case. The taichi were worn in the obi, which made them easier for use while on horseback.

Frequently, samurai would wear two swords, adding a smaller weapon to the katana. This is called daisho. The smaller blade would usually be either a wakizashi or a tanto. A wakizashi would have a blade of approximately 12 to 20 inches long, while a tanto would have a blade of 6 to 12 inches long.

For those who admire samurai history and culture, acquiring their own katana, taichi or daisho is one way to experience more completely that time in history. We offer a wide selection of katana, as well as wakizashi and tanto blades. Consider completing the look with clothes that mimic the samurai look. Display cases for your blades, as well as cleaning kits, are also available.

Duels in Renaissance England

2011-10-28T18:37:00.000-07:00

If you have spent much time on our site, you have probably noticed that we have a fair number of dueling swords. This being the case, we thought that you might want a little background on the rich history behind some of these lovely but deadly Renaissance weapons.

Duels were conducted well before the Renaissance era, but only in the later part of the 16^th century did the duels become widely popular and codified, due to the influence of the Italian dueling culture.

In fact, duels became so commonplace in Renaissance England that James I began ordering the Star Chamber to investigate and prosecute cases of dueling.

The nature of a duel is a simple one. If an insult is perceived, a gentleman can issue a challenge for a duel to the person who committed the insult. The most common and accepted reason for issuing a challenge would be if the insult regarded the honesty of the gentlemen concerned.

Every gentleman was considered to be possessed of honor and virtue, and to be accused of dishonesty was tantamount to suggesting the man in question was not a gentleman.

Prior to the late 16^th century, duels in England were frequently fought with swords. However, the Italian rapier was introduced to the country in the middle of the 16^th century and the lightness and flexibility of the weapon made it the clear weapon of choice for duelists.

When a challenge was issued, frequently by throwing a glove at the feet of the man who has caused offense—this is the origin of the phrase “throwing down the gauntlet”—each party chose seconds, who helped arrange the time and location of the duel and ensured that the weapons being used were similar and fair.

At the time of the duel, both the duelists and their seconds would fight. The duel could be fought to a pre-determined conclusion. The conclusion specifically could vary, ranging from “first blood”—the first person wounded, however slightly, lost—to a duel to the death.

The Italian dueling masters set up schools in England to teach dueling techniques to the young peers of England. The techniques used in dueling, along with the exploding popularity of the dueling academies themselves, led to a rise in fencing as a form of sport, instead of as a form of combat. In dueling, the rapiers were often accompanied with a dagger in the other hand, increasing the danger to both parties.

The most famous Renaissance Englishman to conduct a duel was Ben Johnson. The playwright and diarist became enraged with an actor named Gabriel Spencer. Johnson won, killing Spencer. He was arrested and convicted of manslaughter. He was sentenced to be executed but was given a last minute reprieve, although the state did confiscate all his property and branded him on the thumb.

Today, many Renaissance enthusiasts reproduce early duels at Renaissance festivals and gatherings. In order to do this, you must first acquire a reproduction rapier. These are available in a variety of designs from different parts of Europe. For added deadliness and accuracy, consider adding a dagger to your arsenal. A little fencing practice with your opponent and you’ll be ready to protect your honor in true Renaissance fashion.