Can You Identify These Historical Weapons?

By: Mark Laufgraben
Estimated Completion Time
2 min
Can You Identify These Historical Weapons?
Image: Wiki Commons via Halflang

About This Quiz

Weapons are likely the first tools crafted by humanity. They have been with us since the beginning. And while physics allows multitudinous ways to end a human life, the reality is that they tend to organize themselves into discrete categories recognizable across cultures. We have swords, that slash. Axes, that cut. Spears that pierce. Knives, that shiv. Maces, that pummel....the list goes on. 

But weapons are more than mere implements of death and destruction. They are works of art: pommels studded with jewels, or blades woven with an intricate pattern or design. They are symbols of power: some weapons can only be wielded by those deem fit to wear them. They are even instruments of peace: many of the weapons we fear so rightly are or are descended from farming tools used to slaughter animals or even clear humble foliage.

The weapons that we craft tend to say something about who we are as a culture. They also rise and change in response to technological development: in a world with crossbows and gunpowder, swords no longer needed to be heavy enough to pierce armor, for example, and became a slim, agile dueling weapon.

Are you a master of history's arsenal? Behold our panoply of killing tools posted herein, how many do you recognize? Show us your skills, weapon master!

Rapier
Wiki Commons via Rama
Which historical weapon is this?
Bilbo
Rapier
Nihontō
Uchigatana
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The rapier is a thrusting weapon with an extremely thin blade. It would typically be used for piercing, but slashing was also possible. The weapons also have (often extremely ornate) hand guards meant to protect the weapon hand while in use.

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Claymore
Wiki Commons via Halflang
Which weapon from history is this?
Dadao
Short sword
Sting
Claymore
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Claymore is a Scottish two-handed weapon whose name literally translates to "Great Sword", and great it is. The blades were approximately 42 inches in length, and capable of cleaving a man in half!

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Katana
Wiki Commons via Rama
Which weapon do you see here?
Katana
Nihon-to
Wakizashi
Morning Star
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A Katana is a long sword with a curved blade and a single edge. They were purely used for cutting, and were evidence of the bearer's Samurai lineage, as lesser castes were not permitted to carry them.

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Palstave
Wiki Commons via The Portable Antiquities Scheme/ The Trustees of the British Museum
Which weapon do you see?
Doloire
Broadsword
Palstave
Estoc
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Palstave is an ancient kind of bronze axe found across much of Europe. It has high flanges and a forked wooden handle. It comes from the bronze age, so it was used around 1,300 BC.

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Ida
Wiki Commons via KoS
Which weapon is this?
Ida
Side-Sword
Jian
Nunchaku
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An Ida is a long African sword, noted for the use of pepper and poison on its edge in order to complement its lethality. It is a leaf shaped blade, designed for cutting.

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Talibong knife
Wiki Commons via Lorenz Lasco
Which weapon do you see here?
Sai
Jo Staff
War Fan
Talibong
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A Talibong is a wickedly sharp Filipino weapon designed for hunting, but conflicts with Spain brought it into use as a particularly brutal weapon. It is a sword with a curvy, hooked blade.

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Pinuti
Wiki Commons via Lorenz Lasco
Which weapon is pictured?
Hatchet
Pinuti
Bardiche
Broadsword
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A Pinuti is another Filipino weapon that originated as a farming tool. It has a straight blade with a hooked hand guard and requires careful sharpening to keep it in use. The handle was typically made of guava wood.

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Nzappa Zap
Wiki Commons via Hiart
Which weapon is shown?
Warhammer
Mace
Nzappa zap
Morning Star
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Nzappa zap is a Congolese weapon, made by the Nsapo people. It has a broad, leaf-headed blade, and the weapon would frequently have motifs of human faces carved into it.

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Dane Ax
Wiki Commons via Rimantas Lazdynas
Name this weapon.
Dane Axe
War Club
Knuckleduster
Blackjack
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Dane Axe is an early form of battle ax. You can clearly see how it descended from the lumber cutting tool from the simplicity of its design, which is little more than a wide blade mounted on a wooden haft.

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Executioner's_sword
Wiki Commons via Thomas Quine
Which weapon do you see here?
Ring Sword
Dagger
Executioner's sword
Flamberge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Executioner's swords were heavy, two handed blades designed for the execution of (accused) criminals. They were extremely weighty, so as to be used in decapitation, and lacked a point.

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Longsword
Wiki Commons via Rama
Which weapon is this?
Tomahawk
Bardiche
Halberd
Longsword
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Longswords are a European weapon, typically ranging from 33 to 43 inches in blade length. Contrary to their portrayal in fiction, their significant length and weight meant they were frequently used with two hands.

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Labrys
Wiki Commons via Wolfgang Sauber
Which historical weapon is here?
Labrys
Haft Spear
Parade Sword
Sabre
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Labrys was a Minoan double-bladed ax and was frequently used as a symbol in the various religious cults of the age. That said, not much more is known of them due to the lack of surviving examples.

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Chokutō
Wiki Commons via Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Which historical weapon do you see?
Baselard
Bardiche
Chokutō
Hatchet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Chokutō was an ancient Japanese sword that was likely inspired by their Chinese neighbors. It is notable for having a straight edge, something that became less and less used as Japanese sword forging progressed.

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barong
Wiki Commons via Filhistorydotcom
Which weapon from history is shown?
Firangi
Boar-Sword
Barong
Spatha
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Barongs are long semi-knives with curving, leaf-shaped blades that bulge in the center. They are typically wielded by the Muslim ethnicities in the Philippines and are occasionally used with a scabbard.

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Gladius
Wiki Commons via Rama
Do you know which weapon this is?
Gladius
Trident
Buckler
Spadroon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Gladius is a Roman short bladed sword. It was the primary hand weapon of the legionnaires after the Marian reforms and was used in close combat after the legionnaire had thrown his pilum.

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Ono
Wiki Commons via Samuraiantiqueworld
Can you recognize this weapon?
Shepherd's Axe
Misericorde
Zweihander
Ono
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An Ono is a Japanese ax weapon, stereotypically wielded by Monks in self defense. It has a very broad head and a long body, making the entire weapon around six feet in total length.

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Takoba
Wiki Commons via Samata
Do you know which weapon is shown here?
Bhuj
Takoba
Kaskara
Colichemarde
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Takoba is a flat, straight bladed sword typically wielded by the tribes of the Sahel, the desert band between the Sahara proper and the rest of sub-Saharan Africa.

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Katzbalger
Wiki Commons via Tigrisnaga
Which weapon is this?
Changdao
Katzbalger
Backsword
Swiss Dagger
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Katzbalger is a short bladed sword, a weapon of last resort for a German renaissance Pikeneer or Landsknecht. It has a large, decorative handguard to help parry blades, but its ornate nature leaves gaps that can be exploited by thrusting weapons.

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Flamberge
Wiki Commons via Ingersoll
Do you know which weapon is shown here?
Epee
Shikomizue
Flamberge
Seax
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Flamberge is a sword with a long, wavy blade that looks like, you guessed it, fire. The name actually refers to any sword that has such a blade, and as such they can be of varying length.

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Tachi
Wiki Commons via Sukesada / Rama
Do you recognize this weapon?
Fu
Javelin
Brass Knuckles
Tachi
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tachis are Japanese swords that are the predecessors of the Katana. In fact, the latter is mostly a historical appellation - besides when they were used, the only real difference between the two is where the signature appears on the "tang" of the blade, near the hilt.

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Masakari
Wiki Commons via Samuraiantiqueworld
Which weapon is this?
Falchion
Masakari
Khopesh
Trident
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Masakari is the Japanese word for an ax and is the term used for an array of similar weapons with a large blade at the end of a wooden haft. They are usually aesthetically connected to Sohei, fighting monks like the Ikko-Ikki who opposed Nobunaga Oda.

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Hwandudaedo
Wiki Commons via PHGCOM
Which weapon is here?
Hwando
Sabre
Hwandudaedo
Pulwar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Hwandudaedo is a Korean sword with a ring pommel, and is one of the earliest recorded Korean swords. They started as royal weapons in the 5th century, but gained more widespread military usage over time.

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Panabas
Wiki Commons via Metropolitan Museum of Art
Which weapon do you see here?
Shamsir
Scimitar
Panabas
Messer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Panabas is a battle ax with a long, sickle shaped curve. It looks like an enormous shaving razor, and the haft is about as long as the blade. It is sometimes used for butchering of hogs.

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Tabarzin
Wiki Commons via Urek Meniashvili
Which weapon is shown?
Nicha
Piandao
Szabla
Tabarzin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Tabarzin is a Persian "saddle ax," and saw wide use around that part of the Middle East and Russia. It was occasionally used by Islamic Dervishes, wandering holy men.

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Cossack dagger
Wiki Commons via Metropolitan Museum of Art
Do you know this weapon?
Cossack dagger
Talwar
Dao
Dussack
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cossack daggers, also known as khanjali, are long-bladed, double-edged daggers used by the Cossack people. Over time they became a symbolic weapon and even a minor work of art, frequently being bejeweled or engraved.

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Flyssa
Wiki Commons via Metropolitan Museum of Art
Do you recognize this weapon?
Khanda
Shashka
Flyssa
Patag
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A Flyssa is a weapon used by various tribes in Tunisia and Northern Africa, including the Morocco region. It is a sword designed to break mail, so it has particular use against technologically sophisticated invaders.

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Baselard
Wiki Commons via Dmitrij Rodionov
Can you identify this killing implement?
Epee
Ida
Tsurugi
Baselard
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Baselards were I-shaped daggers in use across Europe in the 14th century. Over time, the name grew less associated with a particular weapon and became more used for daggers in a broader sense.

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Wodao
Wiki Commons via Yprpyqp
Which historical weapon is here?
Wodao
Zangbato
Misericorde
Cinquedea
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Wodao is a Chinese Ming Dynasty era sword, but the name is confusing since in this instance "Wo" refers to it being of Japanese origin! It was a two handed weapon capable of great cutting strength.

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Patang
Wiki Commons via Kaye, John William
Do you know this weapon?
Xiphos
Small Dagger
Bilbo
Patag
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Patags are a type of sword from Bhutan, and there are at least 11 extant types. It was a symbol used by ruling figures, both of the royal family and members of parliament.

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Espadon
Wiki Commons via Søren Niedziella
What weapon is shown here?
Talibon
Aikuchi
Xiphos
Espadon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Espadon is a Spanish variant of the classic Longsword, and is therefore a heavy, two handed weapon with a powerful cutting edge that could also be used for stabbing.

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Saingeom
Wiki Commons via National Museum of Korea
Which weapon is pictured?
Harpe
Saingeom
Kopis
Parang Pandit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Saingeom is the name of the archetypical "Korean Sword" of the Joseon era, which was the 15th to 19th century. These weapons saw heavy use during that time and were also incorporated into many artistic endeavors, like dances.

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Dotanuki
Wiki Commons via Samuraiantiqueworld
Do you know this weapon?
Golok
Kukri
Dōtanuki
Kora
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dōtanuki is a type of Katana, noted for its strength and sharpness, and its abandonment of aesthetics. Such a weapon was used by fictional samurai Ogami Itto in the manga Lone Wolf and Cub.

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Nodachi
Wiki Commons via Elminster31
Which weapon is this?
Crowbill
Nodachi
Hakapik
Masakari
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nodachi was a particular kind of Japanese sword. It was enormously heavy and long, being akin to the long western sword. Unlike katana, it was usually worn over the samurai's back rather than at his waist.

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Miaodau1
Wiki Commons via Shoichi
Do you recognize this weapon?
Miao dao
Punyal
Sickle
Kama
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Miao Dao is a relatively recent Chinese long saber, one with an unusually long blade relative to its hilt. It was largely used in the Republican period, and there are relatively few martial arts incorporating it.

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Long-bearded axe
Wiki Commons via Nordisk familjebok
Which weapon is shown here?
War Hammer
Tabarzin
Long-bearded Axe
Sparth Axe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Long-bearded axes were typically used by Scandinavian Vikings as both weapons and tools. The hook on the end could be used to rob an opponent of a shield or caught weapon, so as to go in for the kill.

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Nagamaki
Wiki Commons via Samuraiantiqueworld
Which weapon is shown here?
Nagamaki
Adze
Hatchet
Halberd
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nagamaki were a Japanese pole arm that had the curious combination of a long blade with a long hilt. The resulting weapon looks unwieldy, and is used mostly by infantry fighting cavalry.

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Broadaxe
Wiki Commons via Luigi Zanasi
Identify this weapon!
Fu
Broadaxe
Aklys
Bokken
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Broadaxes are simply axes with a wide blade and have been used since time immemorial as both weapons and cutting tools. They are the archetype from which the ax style weapons (in contrast to hatchets) were formed.

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Small Sword
Wiki Commons via Göran Schmidt - LSH 82405
What weapon is shown?
Bo
Patu
Small sword
Mere
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Small sword is a Renaissance-era weapon with a light, thrusting blade. It could be used as a dueling weapon, but it was more a decorative weapon used by gentry, the military, or anyone who had aspirations toward either of those things.

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Bolo
Wiki Commons via Naval History & Heritage Command
What weapon is this?
Bolo
Morning Star
Roundhead
Sai
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Bolo is a Filipino tool that is occasionally used as a weapon. It is a long-bladed knife, which can be used to cut cane or underbrush as well as coconuts. Or people.

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Estoc
Youtube via Skallagrim
What weapon do you see?
Jitte
Flail
Estoc
Tonfa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An Estoc is a form of longsword particularly designed to fight opponents in heavy mail armor, including plate. It had a cruciform grip and was not edged at all, relying on a heavy point to penetrate joints in the armor.

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You Got:
/40
Wiki Commons via Halflang